Autism screening tool validation for toddlers and young children: advantages and limitations.

backgroundEarly identification is crucial for children with autism. However, many children are diagnosed later due to the lack of specific assessment tools in primary care settings. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the STAT in screening autism across different age groups while assessing its advantages and limitations.

methodsIn total, 434 children aged 14-48 months visiting autism clinics from March to December 2021 were included. Subjects were grouped by age (14-23, 24-36, and 37-48 months) and categorized based on clinical evaluations and STAT results.

resultsIn the age groups of 14-23 and 24-36 months, STAT results demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity compared to DSM-5 diagnoses and exhibited better consistency with ADOS-2 results. However, its performance was weaker in the 37-48 months group. False-negative results were associated with less pronounced autistic traits and higher developmental quotients.

conclusionSTAT presents as a promising level 2 screening tool for early autism identification in China, but its accuracy diminishes in older children with less pronounced autistic traits. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive assessment strategies for autism diagnosis across different age groups and varying levels of support needs. IMPACT: This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers (STAT) for early screening of autism across different age groups. It highlights STAT's effectiveness in younger age groups but emphasizes its limitations with older children and those with less pronounced autistic traits. The findings supplement existing literature by providing insights into STAT's utility in diverse populations. The impact lies in guiding clinical practice to improve the identification of autistic characteristics, particularly in resource-limited settings, potentially enhancing early support and outcomes for autistic children.