Screening for Autism in Toddlers

The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) is "designed to screen for Autism Spectrum Disorders in toddlers (i.e., over the age of 12 months, and ideally over the age of 18 months). A parent can complete the items independently. The M-CHAT does not allow a clinician to make a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder, but is a very useful clinical tool that has excellent sensitivity and specificity. Positive results suggest a high risk for an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and may necessitate referral."

This checklist was not designed for post-institutionalized children, and in fact, distinguishing "post-institutional autism" from "ordinary" autism can be quite challenging, and may require a period of observation. Many of the institutional features (repetitive self-stimulating/self-soothing behaviors and lack of appropriate spontaneous social interactions) do show dramatic improvement with time, in contrast to the autistic spectrum disorders.

Comments

[Miriam Rifkin]

I came across a very interisting article by Dr. Gindis in International Adoption Articles Directory at http://www.adoptionarticlesdirectory.com/Article/The-second-glance-at-institutional-autism-in-internationally-adopted-children/81 where he speaks about special signs of institutional autism vs. "ordinary" autism. Most important is that he suggests a somewhat different remedial approach to it. He writes apparently about older children.