Compare Screening Tools: Validity Properties Chart
Parental reports of their child’s skills are accurate predictors of developmental delay. And validated screening tools save time by focusing the visit and organizing the concerns up front.
But which tool is right for you?
Below is a chart of the more widely used and discussed screening tools for your review.* Click on the tool names for additional details.
| Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile: Infant-Toddler Checklist** (CSBS DP) | Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) | Pervasive Developmental Disorders Screening Test-II Primary Care Screener (PDDST-II) | Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT) | |
| Cost | Free | Free | 25 response forms for $42 | Free |
| # of Items | 24 | 23 | 22 | 9 |
| Time: Parent Completion | 5-10 minutes | 5-10 minutes | 10-15 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Time: Provider Score and Interpret | 5 minutes | 2 minutes | 5 minutes | 2 minutes |
| Sensitivity | 0.78 | 0.85*** | 0.92 | 0.65 |
| Specificity | 0.84 | 0.93*** | 0.91 | 0.98 |
| Positive Predictive Value | — | High Risk: .60 Low Risk: .11 Combined: .36 |
— | — |
| Age range | 9-24 months | 16-48 months | 18-48 months | 18-24 months |
| Year of validation | 2008 | 2001 | 2004 | 1992 |
| Variety of survey forms | Single form, all ages | Single form, all ages | Single form, all ages | Single form, all ages |
| Available languages | English | English, Spanish, Turkish, Japanese, and Chinese | English and Spanish | English |
| Web Site | Brookes Publishing | First Signs | Pearson Assessments | National Austistic Society (UK) |
* Q-CHAT (Quantitative CHAT) is a major revision of the original CHAT. This version is a 25-item parent-report tool, which indicates the frequency a child performs a particular skill or behavior and is intended for children between 24-36 months. Initial studies comparing Q-CHAT scores in children with ASD and controls showed good discrimination and test-retest reliability. The Q-CHAT is not mentioned in our comparison chart as it has not yet been validated in primary care populations. (Allison C, et al. The Q-CHAT (Quantitative CHecklist For Autism In Toddlers): a normally distributed quantitative measure of autistic traits at 18-24 months of age: preliminary report. J Autism Dev Disord. 2008;38:1414-1425.)
** The CSBS DP Infant/Toddler Checklist has an age range of 6-24 months, but is only validated as an autism specific screener for ages 9-24 months.
*** Research has shown that it is more accurate to interpret the M-CHAT according to its Positive Predictive Value (patients with positive test results who are correctly diagnosed). The High category relates to patients who are at greater risk (i.e. referred by a concerned Early Intervention provider). The Low category relates to patients who are at a lower risk. The Combined category relates to both the High and Low groups combined. When a failed M-CHAT is followed up by a phone interview, the PPV values are much higher (High risk group: .76, Low risk group: .65, and Combined: .74.) (Kleinman JM, et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2008;38:827-839).