“… even with the follow-up questions, a significant number of the children who fail the M-CHAT™ will not be diagnosed with an ASD; however, these children are at risk for other developmental disorders or delays, and therefore, evaluation is warranted for [any] child who fails the screening.” * The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers- Revised with Follow-up Interview (M-CHAT-R/F™) is an evidence-based autism screening tool designed to identify children 16 to 48 months of age who should receive a more thorough assessment for possible signs of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or related developmental delay. The original M-CHAT™ has been one of the “gold-standards” for ASD screening for the past 15 years, and has been validated on large populations of children.

To account for the possible onset of ASD through regression, or loss of developmental milestones, the M-CHAT-R/F™ should be done at several intervals, ideally at around 18 months and 24 months, or whenever concerns are raised about ASD between 16 and 48 months. AET! allows access to the M-CHAT-R/F™ either alone or with the ASQ-3™.

The M-CHAT-R/F™ consists of 20 initial questions at a 6th-grade reading level, answered “Yes” or “No”. All questions must be answered for it to be scored. AET! will automatically score the initial 20 questions. Then, if necessary, it will proceed to the Follow-Up Interview to determine if the identified atypical or delayed behaviors on the missed items are truly risk factors. It is also critical that all questions on the Follow-Up be answered.

* Robins DL, Fein D, Barton ML, et al.  Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2001;31:131-44.