Evaluating the Psychometric Features of the Screening Tool for Autism: Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers-Revised with Follow-up

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a biologically based neurodevelopmental disorder and the symptoms often begin from second year of life. As the age goes up the children affected by this disorder become more disabled and they begin to lose the capacity of effective social interactions. Early diagnosis and early intensive treatment have the potential to affect outcome, particularly with respect to behavior, functional skills, and communication. Screening is the key to make early interventions possible. The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-up (M-CHAT-R/F) is a screening tool which is being used widely across the globe. The aim of this study was to validate the Persian version of the MCHAT-R/F among the children visiting the Autism Center in Tabriz-Iran. METODS: The MCHAT-R/F screening tool was translated to Persian, culturally adapted, and then administered to 170 toddlers aged between 24 to 48 months in two clinical groups: 1) children with previous suspect of high risk of ASD (n=85) 2) children who visited the children and adolescent psychiatry clinic for other reasons (n=85). The data is analyzed and psychometric features such as reliability, validity as well as sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value is evaluated. RESULTS: The reliability and validity of the Persian version of M-CHAT-R/F were demonstrated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 95%, 82%, 84.37% and 95.59% respectively. Internal consistency of the questionnaire was adequate (Cronbach’s α = 0.789).