AUTISMO: CON UN SEMPLICE QUESTIONARIO AI GENITORI DIAGNOSI A UN ANNO D'ETA'

(AGI) Washington - Un semplice questionario che puo' essere compilato in cinque minuti puo' predire con il 75 per cento di efficacia l'insorgere dell'autismo. Lo afferma uno studio pubblicato dalla rivista Pediatrics, secondo cui tramite le risposte dei genitori e' possibile individuare gia' all'eta' di un anno i primi segni della malattia. La ricerca ha coinvolto piu' di 10mila bambini, ai cui genitori e' stato chiesto di compilare un questionario su alcune abilita' dei piccoli, da quelle manuali alla comunicazione, e i 184 bimbi che hanno fallito il primo test sono stati seguiti fino all'eta' di tre anni. Al termine del test al 75 per cento dei bambini e' stato diagnosticato l'autismo o una qualche sindrome legata a questa malattia. "Molti studi sottolineano l'importanza di iniziare il trattamento precocemente nei casi di autismo - hanno scritto gli autori, dell'Universita' della California - e la possibilita' di fare una diagnosi gia' quando il bambino ha solo un anno e' fondamentale" 

© http://www.agi.it - 28 Aprile 2011

di seguito l'articolo originale pubblicato online su Pediatrics

The Each Child Study: Systematic Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders in a Pediatric Setting

Judith S. Miller, PhD^a, Terisa Gabrielsen, MS^a, Michele Villalobos, MS^a, Rebecca Alleman, BS^a, Natalie Wahmhoff, MS^a, Paul S. Carbone, MD^b, Brandon Segura, MS^b

Departments of ^aPsychiatry,
^bPediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility and outcome of a systematic autism screening process for all toddlers(aged 14–30 months) in a large, community-based pediatric practice.

METHODS All toddlers who presented to the clinic during the 6-month screening period were eligible. We used 2 screening questionnaires and allowed physicians to refer directly to capture as manychildren as possible. Receptionists and medical assistants distributed and collected screening questionnaires; research staff did all scoring and follow-up, either by telephone or in person when indicated.

RESULTS We obtained a high rate of screening (80% of eligible children). Of the 796 children screened, 3 had already been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD); an additional 10 children who showed signs of early ASD that warranted further evaluation or intervention were identified. Formal screening measures identified more children with ASD than did clinical judgment or caregiver concerns; however, no single method (ie, questionnaire, caregiver concerns, provider concerns) identified all children with signs of early ASD. We had excellent participation from racially and ethnically diverse families, including Spanish-speaking families. Thirty-two percent of the children who were screened did not present for a well-child visit during the study period and were screened at a sick visit, follow-up visit, or injection appointment.

CONCLUSIONS A partnership between pediatricians and autism specialists resulted in effective, systematic autism screening. Future studies should examine how to create effective systems of care.

Key Words: autism • screening–early childhood • community pediatrics • early intervention

Abbreviations: ASD = autism spectrum disorder • M-CHAT = Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers • ITC = Infant Toddler Checklist • CHAT = Checklist for Autism in Toddlers • WNH = white, non-Hispanic

©  http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/ - 11 Aprile 2011