Abstract
Early detection of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has proven to be of high significance, however there is a limited availability of ASD screening tools in Serbian language. In this study we aim to translate, assess reliability and, in part, test the applicability of Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised, with Follow-Up (M-CHAT R/F) in Serbian Healthcare environment. We screened 128 children in three primary healthcare centres and 20 children in a tertiary psychiatric center, using M-CHAT R/F translated into Serbian language, between December 2014 and October 2015. At the end of the screening process 80% of participants in the risk group screened positive for ASD, while in the control group 4 (3.1%) participants screened positive, with a mean total scores of 8.25 and 0.66 respectively. The Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.91 and Guttman’s λ6 was 0.93. Test – retest reliability was deemed as acceptable, and no significant correlation was found between M-CHAT-R/F scores and Epworth Sleepiness Scale for children scores. The Serbian version of the M-CHAT-R/F has shown satisfactory reliability. We can therefore assert that it is a reliable tool for identifying ASD and it can be used in clinical practice to improve early detection, assessment and treatment.
Highlights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder manifested by impairments in social interaction and communication, as well as the presence of repetitive and restricted behaviours/interests[1]
Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-up (M-CHAT-R/F) was designed by Robins et al in 200916,17 and it has since been translated into 35 languages or dialects
Our study suggests that M-CHAT/R-F is sufficiently reliable
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder manifested by impairments in social interaction and communication, as well as the presence of repetitive and restricted behaviours/interests[1]. Due to lack of reproducible biological markers for determination of an ASD diagnosis, early detection has been based on a combination of different strategies Some of those strategies include developmental surveillance through expert casual assessment of communication, social and play skills, and consideration of parental concerns[13,14]. As a more sensitive alternative to this questionnaire, Robins et al constructed in 2001, for the needs of the American healthcare system, a Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT)[15] This adaptation eliminated the physician observation section and expanded on the parent report items. Extensive validation of this instrument pointed towards the need for a follow-up, done by phone or other methods, of children with positive screening, in order to minimize the number of false positive cases. Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-up (M-CHAT-R/F) was designed by Robins et al in 200916,17 and it has since been translated into 35 languages or dialects
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