The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers: An initial study investigating the early detection of autism and pervasive developmental disorders

Autism, a severe disorder of development, is difficult to detect in very yo ung children. However, children who receive early intervention have improve d long-term prognoses. The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHA T), consisting of 23 yes/no items, was used to screen 1,293 children. Of th e 58 children given a diagnostic/developmental evaluation, 39 were diagnose d with a disorder on the autism spectrum. Six items pertaining to social re latedness and communication were found to have the best discriminability be tween children diagnosed with and without autism/PDD. Cutoff scores were cr eated for the best items and the total checklist. Results indicate that the M-CHAT is a promising instrument for the early detection of autism.