News Report | October 27, 2019
M-CHAT/F Autism Screening Tool Less Accurate Than Previously Reported
The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers with Follow-Up (M-CHAT/F), an autism screening tool designed for use in primary care, is less accurate than indicated by previous studies. Positive predictive value (PPV) was 14.6% for all children evaluated, compared to previously reported values between 2% and 47%. PPV is the probability that individuals with a positive screening test truly have the condition. The M-CHAT/F is administered electronically at well-child visits between ages 16 and 26 months, and as a follow-up in well-child visits for children from 4 to 8 years following . . .