Comparative Analysis of Three Screening Instruments for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Toddlers at High Risk

Overview

Journal J Autism Dev Disord

Publisher Springer

Date 2009 Feb 12

PMID 19205862

Citations 20

Authors

Iris J Oosterling

Sophie H Swinkels

Rutger Jan Van der Gaag

Janne C Visser

Claudine Dietz

Jan K Buitelaar

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Several instruments have been developed to screen for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in high-risk populations. However, few studies compare different instruments in one sample. Data were gathered from the Early Screening of Autistic Traits Questionnaire, Social Communication Questionnaire, Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales-Developmental Profile, Infant-Toddler Checklist and key items of the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers in 238 children (mean age = 29.6 months, SD = 6.4) at risk for ASD. Discriminative properties are compared in the whole sample and in two age groups separately (8-24 months and 25-44 months). No instrument or individual item shows satisfying power in discriminating ASD from non-ASD, but pros and cons of instruments and items are discussed and directions for future research are proposed.

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