Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Flemish Day-Care Centres with the Checklist for Early Signs of Developmental Disorders

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A new screening instrument for ASD was developed that can be filled out by child care workers: the Checklist for Early Signs of Developmental Disorders (CESDD). The predictive validity of the CESDD was evaluated in a population of 6,808 children between 3 and 39 months attending day-care centres in Flanders. The CESDD had a sensitivity of .80 and a specificity of .94. Based on the screening procedure used in this study, 41 children were diagnosed with ASD or got a working diagnosis of ASD. Thus, including child care workers’ report on signs of ASD in screening procedures can help to identify cases of ASD at a young age.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adrien, J. L., Fauré, M., Perrot, A., Hameury, L., Garreau, B., Barthelemy, C., et al. (1991). Autism and family home movies: Preliminary findings. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 21, 43–49.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Adrien, J. L., Lenoir, P., Martineau, J., Perrot, A., Hameury, L., Larmande, C. L., et al. (1993). Blind ratings of early symptoms of autism based upon family home movies. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 32, 617–626.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Akobeng, A. K. (2006). Understanding diagnostic tests 2: Likelihood ratios, pre- and post-test probabilities and their use in clinical practice. Acta Paediatrica, 96, 487–491.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Children with Disabilities. (2001). Developmental surveillance and screening of infants and young children. Pediatrics, 108, 192–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. (Text Revision).

    Google Scholar 

  • Baird, G., Charman, T., Baron-Cohen, S., Cox, A., Swettenham, J., Wheelwright, S., et al. (2000). A screening instrument for autism at 18 months of age: A 6 year follow-up study. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 39, 694–702.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baird, G., Simonoff, E., Pickles, A., Chandler, S., Loucas, T., Meldrum, D., et al. (2006). Prevalence of disorders of the autism spectrum in a population cohort of children in South Thames: The Special Needs and Autism Project (SNAP). Lancet, 368, 210–215.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baranek, G. T. (1999). Autism during infancy: A retrospective video analysis of sensory-motor and social behaviours at 9–12 months of age. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 29(3), 213–224.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baron-Cohen, S., Allen, J., & Gillberg, C. (1992). Can autism be detected at 18 months? The needle, the haystack, and the CHAT. British Journal of Psychiatry, 161, 839–843.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baron-Cohen, S., Cox, A., Baird, G., Swettenham, J., Nightingale, N., Morgan, K., et al. (1996). Psychological markers in the detection of autism in infancy in a large population. British Journal of Psychiatry, 168, 158–163.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baron-Cohen, S., Scott, F. J., Allison, C., Williams, J., Bolton, P., Matthews, F. E., et al. (2009). Prevalence of autism-spectrum conditions: UK school-based population study. British Journal of Psychiatry, 194, 500–509.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Branson, D., Vigil, D. C., & Bingham, A. (2008). Community childcare providers’ role in the early detection of autism spectrum disorders. Early Childhood Education Journal, 35, 523–530.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chakrabarti, S., Haubus, C., Dugmore, S., Orgill, G., & Devine, F. (2005). A model of early detection and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in young children. Infants & Young Children, 18, 200–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charman, T., & Baird, G. (2002). Practitioner Review: Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in 2- and 3-year-old children. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 43, 289–305.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Giacomo, A., & Fombonne, E. (1998). Parental recognition of developmental abnormalities in autism. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 7, 131–136.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dereu, M., Meirsschaut, M., Warreyn, P., & Roeyers, H. (2006). The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers. Dutch translation. Retrieved from Georgia State University, Department of Psychology Website: http://www2.gsu.edu/~psydlr/Diana_L._Robins,_Ph.D._files/M-CHAT_Dutch.pdf.

  • Dietz, C., Swinkels, S. H. N., van Daalen, E., van Engeland, H., & Buitelaar, J. K. (2006). Screening for autistic spectrum disorder in children aged 14–15 months. II: Population screening with the Early Screening of Autistic Traits Questionnaire (ESAT). Design and general findings. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36, 713–722.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dietz, C., Swinkels, S., van Daalen, E., van Engeland, H., & Buitelaar, J. K. (2007). Parental compliance after screening social development in toddlers. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 161, 363–368.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dosreis, S., Weiner, C., Johnson, L., & Newschaffer, C. (2006). Autism spectrum disorder screening and management practices among general pediatric providers. Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 27(2), 88–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dumont-Mathieu, T., & Fein, D. (2005). Screening for autism in young children: The modified checklist for autism in toddlers (M-CHAT) and other measures. Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 11, 253–262.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eaves, L. C., & Ho, H. H. (2004). The very early identification of autism: Outcome to age 4½–5. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34, 367–378.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eldevik, S., Hastings, R. P., Hughes, J. C., Jahr, E., Eikeseth, S., & Cross, S. (2009). Meta-analysis of early intensive behavioral intervention for children with autism. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 38, 439–450.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Filipek, P. A., Accardo, P. J., Ashwal, S., Baranek, G. T., Cook, E. H., Dawson, G., et al. (2000). Practice parameter: Screening and diagnosis of autism. Report of the quality standards subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society. Neurology, 55, 468–479.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Filipek, P. A., Accardo, P. J., Banarek, G. T., Cook, E. H., Dawson, G., Gordon, B., et al. (1999). The screening and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 29, 439–484.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gillberg, C., Cederlund, M., Lamberg, K., & Zeijlon, L. (2006). Brief report: “The autism epidemic”. The registered prevalence of autism in a Swedish urban area. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36, 429–435.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gillberg, C., Ehlers, S., Schaumann, H., Jakobsson, G., Dahlgren, S. O., Lindblom, R., et al. (1990). Autism under age 3 years: A clinical study of 28 cases referred for autistic symptoms in infancy. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 31, 921–934.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, K., & Tonge, B. J. (2001). Are there early features of autism in infants and preschool children? Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 37, 221–226.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Groen, W. B., Swinkels, S. H., van der Gaag, R. J., & Buitelaar, J. K. (2007). Finding effective screening instruments for autism using Bayes theorem. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 161, 415–416.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harrington, J. W., Patrick, P. A., Edwards, K. S., & Brand, D. A. (2006). Parental beliefs about autism: Implications for the treating physician. Autism, 10, 452–462.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoff, E., & Elledge, C. (2005). Bilingualism as one of many environmental variables that affect language development. In J. Cohen, K. T. McAlister, K. Rolstad, & J. MacSwan (Eds.), Proceedings of the 4th international symposium on bilingualism. Somerville, MA: Cascadilla Press.

  • Honda, H., Shimizu, Y., Nitto, Y., Imai, M., Ozawa, T., Iwasa, M., et al. (2009). Extration and refinement strategy for detection of autism in 18-month-olds: A guarantee of higher sensitivity and specificity in the process of mass screening. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 50, 972–981.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kind & Gezin. (2008). Jaarverslag 2007. Retrieved March 10, 2009, from http://www.kindengezin.be/Images/Jaarverslag07_tcm149-55932.pdf.

  • Kleinman, J. M., Robins, D. L., Ventola, P. E., Pandey, J., Boorstein, H. C., Esser, E. L., et al. (2008). The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers: A follow-up study investigating the early detection of autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 827–839.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lord, C. (1995). Follow-up of two-year-olds referred for possible autism. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 36, 1365–1382.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lord, C., Rutter, M., DiLavore, P., & Risi, S. (1999). Autism diagnostic observation schedule: Manual. Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maestro, S., Casella, C., Milone, A., Muratori, F., & Palacio-Espasa, F. (1999). Study of the onset of autism through home movies. Psychopathology, 32, 292–300.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maestro, S., Muratori, F., Barbieri, F., Casella, C., Cattaneo, V., Cavallaro, M. C., et al. (2001). Early behavioural development in autistic children: The first 2 years of life through home movies. Psychopathology, 34, 147–152.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mars, A. E., Mauk, J. E., & Dorwick, P. W. (1998). Symptoms of pervasive developmental disorders as observed in prediagnostic home videos of infants and toddlers. The Journal of Pediatrics, 132, 500–504.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, S., Brian, J., Zwaigenbaum, L., Roberts, W., Szatmari, P., Smith, I., et al. (2006). Early language and communication development of infants later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 27(2), 69–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mullen, E. M. (1995). Mullen scales of early learning. Circle Pines MC: American Guidance Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osterling, J., & Dawson, G. (1994). Early recognition of children with autism: A study of first birthday home videotapes. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 24, 247–257.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Osterling, J. A., Dawson, G., & Munson, J. A. (2002). Early recognition of 1-year-old infants with autism spectrum disorder versus mental retardation. Development and Psychopathology, 14, 239–251.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Renty, J., & Roeyers, H. (2006). Satisfaction with formal support and education for children with autism spectrum disorder: The voices of the parents. Child: Care, Health and Development, 32, 371–385.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reznick, J. S., Baranek, G. T., Reavis, S., Watson, L. R., & Crais, E. R. (2007). A parent-report instrument for identifying one-year-olds at risk for an eventual diagnosis of autism: The first year inventory. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 1691–1710.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robins, D. L., Fein, D., Barton, M. L., & Green, J. A. (2001). The modified checklist for autism in toddlers: An initial study investigating the early detection of autism and pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31, 131–144.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M., Bailey, A., & Lord, C. (2003). Social communication questionnaire (SCQ). Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stone, W. L., Lee, E. B., Ashford, L., Brisie, J., Hepburn, S. L., Coonrod, E. E., et al. (1999). Can autism be diagnosed accurately in children under 3 years? Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 40, 219–226.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Swinkels, S. H. N., Dietz, C., van Daalen, E., Kerkhof, I. H. G. M., van Engeland, H., & Buitelaar, J. K. (2006). Screening for autistic spectrum in children aged 14 to 15 months. I: The development of the early screening of autistic traits questionnaire (ESAT). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36, 723–732.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vanpée, K., Sannen, L., & Hedebouw, G. (2009). Child care in Flanders. Use, choice of child care type and evaluation by parents. Retvrieved December 9, 2009, from http://www.kindengezin.be/Images/rapport_child_care_tcm149-5626.doc.

  • Warreyn, P., Raymaekers, R., & Roeyers, H. (2004). Handleiding Vragenlijst Sociale Communicatie. Destelbergen: SIG vzw.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, L. R., Baranek, G. T., Crais, E. R., Reznick, J. S., Dykstra, J., & Perryman, T. (2007). The first year inventory: Retrospective parent responses to a questionnaire designed to identify one-year-olds at risk for autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 49–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Werner, E., Dawson, G., Osterling, J., & Dinno, N. (2000). Brief report: Recognition of autism spectrum disorder before one year of age: A retrospective study based on home videotapes. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30, 157–162.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wetherby, A. M., Woods, J., Allen, L., Cleary, J., Dickinson, H., & Lord, C. (2004). Early indicators of autism spectrum disorders in the second year of life. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34, 473–493.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wiggins, L. D., Baio, J., & Rice, C. (2006). Examination of the time between first evaluation and first autism spectrum diagnosis in a population-based sample. Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 27(2), 79–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wimpory, D. C., Hobson, R. P., Williams, J. M. G., & Nash, S. (2000). Are infants with autism socially engaged? A study of recent retrospective parental reports. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30, 525–536.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zink, I. (2003). N-CDI’s: korte vormen. Leuven: Acco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zwaigenbaum, L., Bryson, S., Rogers, T., Roberts, W., Brian, J., & Szatmari, P. (2005). Behavioral manifestations of autism in the first year of life. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 23(2–3), 143–152.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Partial funding for this research was provided by support from Steunpunt Expertisenetwerken and Vlaamse Vereniging Autisme.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Group Developmental Disorders, Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Mieke Dereu, Petra Warreyn, Ruth Raymaekers, Mieke Meirsschaut, Griet Pattyn, Inge Schietecatte & Herbert Roeyers

Authors
  1. Mieke Dereu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Petra Warreyn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ruth Raymaekers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mieke Meirsschaut
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Griet Pattyn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Inge Schietecatte
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Herbert Roeyers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mieke Dereu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dereu, M., Warreyn, P., Raymaekers, R. et al. Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Flemish Day-Care Centres with the Checklist for Early Signs of Developmental Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 40, 1247–1258 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-010-0984-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-010-0984-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation