Screening tools assist with diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders

Serbian Language version of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised, with Follow-Up: Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Assessment of Reliability

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.

Diagnosticando o transtorno autista: aspectos fundamentais e considerações práticas

Tendo como base modelos de prática diagnóstica implementados em outros países, o objetivo do artigo é oferecer uma revisão geral acerca do que vem a ser o transtorno autista e dos fatores críticos que devem ser considerados durante o processo diagnóstico. São discutidos aspectos dos critérios diagnósticos e também das comorbidades, incidência, etiologia e diretrizes para a prática diagnóstica. Tais diretrizes incluem formas de exploração de sintomas de risco durante exames de rotina realizados por profissionais que trabalham com a população infantil e elementos básicos necessários para a realização de uma avaliação minuciosa e criteriosa por uma equipe interdisciplinar. Isso inclui, por exemplo, o uso de instrumentos específicos auxiliares no diagnóstico, elementos importantes para a avaliação médica e psicológica e encaminhamentos para serviços adequados de intervenção e apoio.