Validation of the modified checklist for autism in toddlers, revised with follow-up in Taiwanese toddlers. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tsai, Jung-Mei; Lu, Lu; Jeng, Suh-Fang; Cheong, Pou-Leng; Gau, Susan Shur-Fen; Huang, Yen-Hsun; Wu, Yen-Tzu
• Is Part Of: Research in developmental disabilities. Volume 85(2019)
• Page Start: 205
• Page End: 216
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: ASD -- M−CHAT-R/F -- Screening -- Toddlers -- Taiwan; Developmental disabilities -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled -- Research -- United States -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled children -- Education -- Research -- United States -- Periodicals; Developmental Disabilities -- Periodicals; Disabled -- Periodicals; Mental Retardation -- rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Personnes atteintes de troubles du développement -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; Enfants atteints de troubles du développement -- Éducation -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; Développement, Troubles du -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; 616.858800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.11.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-4222

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up (M−CHAT-R/F) is a two-stage screening scale for determining the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in toddlers. However, the validity of the M−CHAT-R/F for Asian populations has not yet been established. Aims: This study investigated the psychometric properties of the M−CHAT-R/F, Taiwan version (M−CHAT-R/F–T), among low- and high-risk Taiwanese toddlers aged 16–30 months. The associations among M−CHAT-R/F−T scores, developmental performance at 24 and 30 months, and ASD diagnosis prediction at 36 months were examined. Methods and Procedures: A two-stage screening of the M−CHAT-R/F−T was applied to a study sample comprising 25 toddlers with ASD and 71 atypically developing (ATD) and 221 typically developing (TD) toddlers. Outcomes and Results: The M−CHAT-R/F–T exhibited acceptable internal consistency and test–retest reliability. The M−CHAT-R/F–T scores were significantly correlated with several syndrome scores of the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1.5–5 and were significantly higher among toddlers with ASD than among ATD or TD toddlers. Furthermore, M−CHAT-R/F–T scores were negatively correlated with developmental scores in the Mullen Scales of Early Learning at 24 and 30 months. Moreover, the screening exhibited acceptable predictive validity (sensitivity = 0.86; specificity = 0.96) for ASD diagnosis at 36 months. Conclusions and Implications: The findings indicate that the M−CHAT-R/F–T is a valid and reliable tool for the developmental screening of low- and high-risk Taiwanese toddlers in community and clinical settings.