Early detection of autism – comparison of two screening tools

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study was comparison of a newly developed test Trivandrum Autism behaviour checklist with gold standard test, CHAT.

Method: The present study was done in pediatric OPD (Bundelkhand Medical College, Sagar, (MP). The study was done in the children of 24 to 36 month of age over a period of one year. The study including sex, age of the father & mother, education of father & mother, place of residence, antenatal history, natal & neonatal history, immunization history, developmental history and also two tools – CHAT & TABC.

Result: There are many factors taken during study but there is relation between these factors and Autism. However, Autism is more common in age group of 21 to 30 month of age and also common in male than female. It is more common in urban areas. It is shown that the Birth weight of babies were 2.5 to 3.00kg. The incidence is also high in immunized children. There is no relation with age and education of the parents, Antenatal History, Developmental history. In present study, the maximum no. of cases were screened by CHAT test (28 case) while 11 cases by TABC case. However, 11 cases were screen by both CHAT and TABC. In study sensitivity of the TABC (Trivandrum Autism behaviour checklist) 39.2 it is low, hence TABC is not good test for screening. Specificity 99.4 it is high, hence TABC is good test for diagnosis or confirmatory test.

Conclusion: It is shown that chat is a good test for screening of Autism then TABC. The TABC is good test for the diagnosis or confirmation of the disease.