| In 2007 the Center for Disease Control's Autism and | | | | pointing, and b. pretend play. The items are then |
| Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM) | | | | scored, and a determination of pass or fail is given. |
| found that 1 in 150 8 year olds in different parts of the | | | | Children who fail are rescreened in one month, and if |
| country have an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Years | | | | they fail again should be referred to a specialty Dr. or |
| ago autism was believed to occur in 4 to 5 per 10,000. | | | | Clinic for further testing. |
| This means that the prevalence of autism has | | | | 2. CARS Childhood Autism Rating Scale is a 15 item |
| increased to epidemic proportions in the last several | | | | behavior Rating Scale that helps to identify children |
| years. This is the reason why every parent needs to | | | | with Autism and to distinguish them from other children |
| be educated about autism screening tools, in case their | | | | with a disability. Professionals such as physicians, |
| child is showing signs of autism. This article will discuss | | | | special educators (after age 3), school psychologists, |
| 2 autism screening tools that I find are most effective | | | | speech pathologists and audiologists who have had |
| in diagnosing autism. | | | | only minimal exposure to Autism, can easily be trained |
| Autism is a complex developmental disability that | | | | to use the CARS. This is one of the reasons that I like |
| usually appears during the first three years of a child's | | | | it so much, it does not take lengthy training before use. |
| life. It is defined by a unique set of behaviors and is | | | | Each of the 15 items covers a particular characteristic, |
| considered a "spectrum disorder." What this means is | | | | ability, or behavior. The person performing the CARS |
| that a child can have different symptoms that go | | | | will ask the parents questions. based on the 15 items. |
| across a spectrum. | | | | The parents answers will be used to give the child a |
| Autism is often diagnosed by physicians, health care | | | | score. |
| workers, or special education personnel. Two effective | | | | Children who score above a given point are |
| screening tools to diagnose autism are the CHAT | | | | categorized as having autism. |
| which stands for the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, | | | | The CARS also gives a determination if the child has |
| and the CARS which stands for the Childhood Autism | | | | mild, moderate, or severe autism, based on the child's |
| Rating Scale. Both will be discussed now, as well as | | | | score on the CARS. This is a wonderful bonus for |
| who can use these tools to diagnose autism. | | | | parents because it helps them understand what their |
| 1. CHAT Checklist for Autism in Toddlers is a short | | | | child's needs are related to having autism. |
| questionnaire which is filled out by the parents and a | | | | By understanding what effective autism screening |
| primary health care worker (usually the child's Doctor). | | | | tools are available, parents will be able to ask their |
| The CHAT is recommended to be given to all children | | | | Doctor to use one of the screening tools, if they are |
| at their 18 month check up. The Chat consists of two | | | | concerned. If your child fails either of these tests, you |
| sections: the first nine items are questions answered | | | | should take them to a specialty clinic or physician, who |
| by the parents and the last five items are observations | | | | is experienced in treating children with autism. They |
| made by the primary health care worker. | | | | should order a complete battery of tests to determine |
| These items look at behaviors which if absent at 18 | | | | what your child's strengths and weaknesses are, as |
| months, put a child at risk for a social-communication | | | | well as what special education services they need. Do |
| disorder. These behaviors are: a. joint attention, including | | | | not take these screening tools in lieu of further testing, |
| pointing to show and looking to where a parent is | | | | but it will help you get started. Good Luck! |