Which tool is commonly used for initial autism screening in toddlers?

Which tool is commonly used for initial autism screening in toddlers?

• A. M-CHAT-R/F
• B. WAIS
• C. WISC
• D. Rorschach Inkblot Test

Answer: (A)

Initial autism screening in toddlers relies on a quick, parent-reported checklist designed to flag children who may need a full diagnostic workup. The M-CHAT-R/F is exactly that: a brief questionnaire parents complete about their toddler’s behaviors, with a Follow-Up Interview to clarify responses and reduce false positives. It’s specifically intended for toddlers around 16 to 30 months and is widely used in pediatric primary care as a first step toward identifying children who may be on the autism spectrum. If the screen raises concern, clinicians move on to a comprehensive evaluation using autism-specific tools. The other tools don’t fit this purpose. Intelligence scales like WAIS and WISC measure cognitive abilities rather than screen for autism in toddlers. The Rorschach Inkblot Test is a projective personality assessment and is not a standard or appropriate tool for early autism screening in very young children.

Initial autism screening in toddlers relies on a quick, parent-reported checklist designed to flag children who may need a full diagnostic workup. The M-CHAT-R/F is exactly that: a brief questionnaire parents complete about their toddler’s behaviors, with a Follow-Up Interview to clarify responses and reduce false positives. It’s specifically intended for toddlers around 16 to 30 months and is widely used in pediatric primary care as a first step toward identifying children who may be on the autism spectrum. If the screen raises concern, clinicians move on to a comprehensive evaluation using autism-specific tools.

The other tools don’t fit this purpose. Intelligence scales like WAIS and WISC measure cognitive abilities rather than screen for autism in toddlers. The Rorschach Inkblot Test is a projective personality assessment and is not a standard or appropriate tool for early autism screening in very young children.