MCHART-R/F, a commonly used autism toddler screening tool, has been the subject of recent Autism studies. For those who may be unfamiliar, the study aimed to determine whether implementing this standardized screening during routine pediatric check-ups could lead to earlier autism diagnosis in children.
MCHART Autism Research
The results of the multi-site study were published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. This research is significant as it may potentially improve early detection of autism, allowing for earlier intervention and support for affected children. In summary, the research showed that the use of standardized autism screening during pediatric well-child visits can lead to earlier identification of children with a high likelihood of autism, even those who may initially present with more subtle symptoms.
To test this, 31 pediatricians (from different states of the US) were invited to participate in the research. Half of the pediatric practices received specialized training and supervision on implementing the M-CHAT-R/F screening tool, while the other half continued with their usual practice. Both groups referred children showing signs of autism during 18-month well-child visits to be evaluated by a team of researchers.
The Result
Lead Author of the study, Dr. Giacomo Vivanti, Associate Professor at the Autism Institute, gives the results, “those practices that were randomly assigned to use the MCHART-R/F screening tool identified a larger number of children at risk for autism and did so in a more timely manner compared to those practices that continued with their usual care. To be specific, children from the former group (MCHART) were referred for diagnostic evaluation at an average age of 20.6 months, while those from the latter group (usual) were referred at an average age 23.6 months, showing a significant difference in the speed of identification and referral.”
Overall, the research team strongly believes that policies and guidelines should be in line to fully support the use of routine, standardized autism screening for all children during their toddler well visits. This will help ensure that all children receive proper care and early interventions if needed, allowing them to reach their full potential.
Early Intervention in Las Vegas, NV
Do you need assistance with identifying whether your child may be displaying signs of autism? If so, then do not hesitate to reach out to us. Here at Las Vegas, we are always available for you, and thats because we care. We understand that, as a parent, it can be overwhelming to navigate through the process of identifying and getting support for your child with autism. That’s why we strongly advocate for routine, standardized screening during pediatric well-visits to help detect any potential signs of autism in children at an early age.
