Screening Tools

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) questionnaire to screen for autism. The M-CHAT-R is a revised, updated version that is more user-friendly and provides more accurate results. At Pediatric Associates, we ask that the parent fill out the autism spectrum testing questionnaire prior to the 18-month and 24-month check-up. The 20-item, parent-completed form generally takes five to seven minutes to be completed and a brief time for staff to score. Please let us know if you have any questions regarding this screening tool.

There are several tools used to screen for ADD/ADHD in children. The Vanderbilt ADHD rating scale is an initial assessment tool, for use with children ages 6-12. The tool contains rating scales for symptoms of disorders and for impairments in academic and behavioral performance. Although this pediatric ADHD screening tool is not intended for diagnosis, it is widely used to provide information about symptom presence and severity, as well as the child’s performance in the classroom, home, and social settings. The Vanderbilt Scale takes approximately 10 minutes to complete (the Parent Form has 55 items; the Teacher Form has 43 items).