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©2013 UpToDate ® Print Email Autism-specific screening tools for young children Tool Age Description Sensitivity/specificity Validation Comment CHAT 18-24 months 9 parent-report items 5 observed items Sensitivity: 20 to 38 percent Specificity: 98 percent >16,000 children in the community Validated as first-stage screen, but may be more useful as a second-stage screen. M-CHAT 16-30 months 23 parent-report items Takes approximately 5 minutes to administer Available in English, Spanish, and other languages (see file://www2.gsu.edu/~psydlr/Diana_L._Robins,_Ph.D..html ) Sensitivity: 85 percent Specificity: 93 percent Positive predictive value 57 to 76 percent when followed by structured interview (approximately 60 percent when used as first-stage screen) >5000 children in primary care practices Validated as first-stage screen. Failed screen is followed by structured interview before referral for diagnostic evaluation. (See text for details). STAT 24-36 months 12 observed activities during 20-minute play session Requires training for administration and scoring Sensitivity: 92 percent Specificity: 85 percent 52 children with ASD and other developmental disorders Not suitable for well-child screening, but is an alternative for second-stage screening. Language comprehension is not required. Requires training for administration and scoring; not suitable for primary care practice. CSBC-DP-ITC 6-24 months 24-item questionnaire Positive predictive value: 75 percent 10,479 infants screened at 1-year health supervision visit The CSBC-DP-ITC is a broadband screen for communication delays. CHAT: Checklist for Autism in Toddlers; M-CHAT: Modified CHAT; STAT: Screening Tool for Autism in Two-Year-Olds; SCQ: Social Communication Questionnaire (formerly the Autism Screening Questionnaire); CSBC-DP-ITC: Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile – Infant Toddler Checklist.