Conheça o M-chat: um instrumento de triagem para o TEA

Summary

The video script discusses the importance of early detection of autism and introduces a triage tool designed for parents, teachers, and professionals to identify atypical behaviors in children from 18 months old. The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) is highlighted as an effective screening tool, developed over the past 20 years based on solid clinical studies. It consists of 23 items, with 17 non-specific and six specific to autism, helping to identify risk without bias. The script emphasizes the significance of systematic symptom tracking and the M-CHAT's role in early diagnosis and intervention, potentially changing a child's future.

Takeaways

• 😀 Early detection of atypical behaviors can assist in diagnosing autism symptoms from 18 months of age.
• 👨‍🏫 The script discusses a triage tool that can be used by parents, teachers, and professionals to aid in early diagnosis of autism.
• 🔍 Actively seeking signs and symptoms of autism in children should become a more common routine in society.
• 🚫 Passive attitudes and other factors can lead professionals dealing with children to overlook or miss the opportunity to identify signs of autism.
• 🧠 Autism is a serious developmental disorder that can reduce a child's future potential and severely impact their social and communicative abilities.
• 👶 Early diagnosis is proven to be the best form of treatment to reduce the effects of autism in childhood.
• 📝 Systematic tracking of symptoms in the first years of life is one of the most important practices for identifying autism.
• 📊 The script introduces scales and triage tools developed over the last 20 years based on solid clinical studies to identify common and consistent signs of autism.
• 📋 The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) is highlighted as a screening tool that can be used for children between 18 months and two years.
• 📝 The M-CHAT consists of 23 items, with 17 related to behaviors associated with autism and six specific to autism signs.
• ⚠️ If a child does not meet the criteria for two of the most important items (27, 9, 13, 14, 15) or for three items overall, they are considered at risk for autism and should be referred for specialized assessment.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the tool discussed in the script?

The main purpose of the tool discussed in the script is to assist in the early detection of atypical behaviors that may indicate signs of autism, particularly from 18 months of age. It is designed to be used by parents, teachers, and professionals.

Why is early detection of autism important according to the script?

Early detection of autism is important because it is a severe developmental disorder that reduces a child's future potential and significantly impacts their social and communicative abilities. Early diagnosis is the best form of treatment and can reduce the effects of autism in childhood.

What are the benefits of systematic symptom tracking in the first years of life for children?

Systematic symptom tracking in the first years of life is one of the most important practices as it allows for early intervention. This can change the future of a child by addressing the signs of autism promptly and effectively.

What is the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) mentioned in the script?

The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) is a screening tool composed of 23 items that allows for the identification of a high risk of autism in children. It is based on solid clinical studies and is designed to be used with children between 18 months and two years of age.

How is the M-CHAT different from other screening tools mentioned in the script?

The M-CHAT is different because it is based on a combination of 17 items that are not specific to autism but are related to it, and six items that represent specific signs of autism. The questions are shuffled to avoid bias in diagnosis.

What are the criteria for determining if a child is at risk for autism using the M-CHAT?

A child is considered at risk for autism if they answer 'no' to two of the most important items (27, 9, 13, 14, 15) or to three of any items from the scale. If this is the case, the child should be referred for specialized assessment.

What is the significance of the item about a child's interest in other children as mentioned in the script?

The item about a child's interest in other children is significant because a lack of interest is a specific sign of autism. Children with autism often have difficulty with social interactions, which includes not being interested in other children.

Why is the item about a child's ability to play appropriately with toys important in the M-CHAT?

The item about a child's ability to play appropriately with toys is important because it can indicate if the child is engaging in repetitive behaviors or only playing with a part of the toy, which are common signs of autism.

How does the script emphasize the importance of shared attention in the context of autism?

The script emphasizes the importance of shared attention by highlighting items that measure behaviors such as pointing to share interest, looking at someone when called by name, and checking a parent's reaction, which are often absent in children with autism.

Where can one find the M-CHAT and other resources mentioned in the script?

The M-CHAT and other resources can be found on the website 'entendendo autismo' (understanding autism), which is available for download or can be accessed through a link provided in the video.

What is the final recommendation for those who have used the M-CHAT and found a child to be at risk for autism?

The final recommendation is to refer the child for a specialized assessment to further investigate the signs of autism and provide appropriate support and interventions.