Below are the sources that informed my selection of screening and diagnostic tools for the learning goal
linked to competency 2: Describe a range of screening and diagnostic tools and techniques
1. What evidence is there that the tool is a valid instrument for the diagnosis of ASD?
Conclusions: Sensitive and specific developmental screening instruments include: Grade A
Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) BRIGANCE Screens Child Development Inventories (CDI) Parents Evaluations of Developmental Status (PEDS).
Autism-specific screening tools that have adequate sensitivity and specificity include: B
Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT) Autism Screening Questionnaire (ASQ).
Diagnostic tools for autism that have been shown to have adequate sensitivity and specificity include the following: B
Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS). This is a checklist, DSM-IV based, with an age
range of 322 years, giving a global rating of autism symptomatology.
Parent Interview for Autism (PIA). This is a structured interview with 118 items that
takes 45 minutes to deliver.
Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (ADI-R). This is currently one of the two best
available reference points for diagnosis of ASD. It is a comprehensive structured parent interview which takes one hour to deliver, with specific training and validation procedures.
Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). This is a structured interview and
observations with 15 items, designed for children > 24 months, which takes 3045 minutes to deliver.
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Generic (ADOS-G). This is currently one
of the two best available reference points for diagnosis. It is a semi-structured observational assessment in four modules. It gives DSM-IV and ICD-10 diagnoses with definitive cutoff scores and takes 30 to 45 minutes to deliver. The Denver II tool cannot be recommended. B
Retrieved from: New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline p290
Table 2: Potentially preferable instrument combinations for the screening and diagnosis of autism
Combination No. Combination 1 Combination 2 Screening instrument SCQ CARS Diagnosis instruments
Interview Observation
Notes SCQ, ADI-R - strong research base. ADOS strong research, clinician-observation based Same as Comb. 1, save use of CARS for screening potentially slightly lower long term cost Same as Comb. 1, save use of 3di potentially lower long term cost Same as Comb. 3, save use of CARS for screening potentially slightly lower long term cost Same as Comb. 2, save use of CARS for diagnosis (see qualifiers above) Likely lowest cost option
ADI-R ADI-R
ADOS ADOS
Combination 3 Combination 4
SCQ CARS
3di 3di
ADOS ADOS
Combination 5 Combination 6
SCQ SCQ
ADI-R 3di
CARS CARS
Retrieved from:
Diagnostic instruments for autism spectrum disorder: A brief review p22
Personal correspondence from local paediatrician
Dear Tracy We send out two questionnaires for children with behavior problems that are referred to Paediatrics. The first is a Vanderbilt questionnaire from Vanderbilt university in the states that looks for symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, depression and oppositional behavior, and the second one is the Attwood rating scales that looks for symptoms on the autism spectrum. These questionnaires are sent to the family and to the school as we are interested in the childs behavior in both environments to get an idea if it the child that is experiencing the difficulties or if it is the environment that is problematic. Retrieved from: email May 1st 2013 11.44am