CHAT: The "Checklist for Autism in Toddlers" Screening Tools                  

                The following test can be used by a Pediatrician or Family Doctor during 
                 the 18 month developmental check-up.  The CHAT should not be used as  
                 a diagnostic instrument, but can alert the primary health professional to the
                  need for an expert referral.



           SECTION A: Ask Parent

YES NO  Does your child enjoy being swung, bounced on your knee?
YES NO   Does your child take an interest in other children?
YES NO Does your child like climbing on things, such as upstairs?
YES NO Does your child enjoy planning peek-a-boo/hide-and-seek?
YES NO *Does your child ever pretend, for example, to make a cup of tea using a 
   toy cup and teapot, or pretend other things (e.g. pouring juice)?
YES NO Does your child ever use his index finger to point, to ask for something?
YES NO *Does your child ever use his index finger to point, to indicate interest in something?   
YES NO Can your child play properly with small toys (e.g., cars or blocks) without just mouthing, fiddling or dropping them?
 YES  NO Does your child ever bring objects over to you (parent). To show you something?

     SECTION B: Doctor Observation

YES NO During the appointment, has the child made eye contact with you?
YES NO *Get the child's attention, then point across the room at an interesting object
and say, "Oh, look! There's a [toy]!" Watch the child's face. Does the child
look across to see what you are pointing at?'
YES NO *Get the child's attention, then give child a miniature toy cup and teapot and
say, "Can you make a cup of tea?" Does the child pretend to pour out tea,
drink it, etc.?
YES NO *Say to the child, "Where's the light?", or "Show me the light."
Does the child point with his index finger at the light?'
YES NO Can the child build a tower of blocks?
If so, how many? (Indicate the number of blocks)


           * Indicates critical questions that are most indicative of autistic characteristics

          ¹ To record yes on this item, ensure the child has not simply looked at your hand,
             but has actually looked at the object you are pointing at.
         ²  If you can elicit an example of pretending in some other game, score a yes
            on this item.
         ³ Repeat this with, "Where's the Teddy?" or some other unreachable object if
            child does not understand the word "light". To record a yes on this item,
            the child must have looked up at your face around the time of pointing.


                       The British Journal of Psychiatry (1996), 168, pp. 158-16,
                       The British Journal of Psychiatry (1992), 161, pp. 839-843.






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