CHAT- The Checklist for Autism in Toddlers

Dr.T

For new parents who read a little bit about autism and worry about whether their kids suffer from autistic disorder.

REMINDER: CHAT should not NEVER be used as a diagnostic instrument. Seek further help if you are in doubt.

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The Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT) is a screening instrument which identifies children aged 18 months who are at risk for social-communication disorders.

To be used by GPs or Health Visitors during the 18 month developmental check-up.

SECTION A: ASK PARENT:

1. Does your child enjoy being swung, bounced on your knee, etc?

YES/NO

2. Does your child take an interest in other children?

YES/NO

3. Does your child like climbing on things, such as up stairs?

YES/NO

4. Does your child enjoy playing peek-a-boo/hide-and-seek?

YES/NO

5. Does your child ever PRETEND, for example, to make a cup of tea using a toy cup and teapot, or pretend other things?

YES/NO

6. Does your child ever use his/her index finger to point, to ASK for something?

YES/NO

7. Does your child ever use his/her index finger to point, to indicate INTEREST in something?

YES/NO

8. Can your child play properly with small toys (e.g. cars or bricks) without just mouthing, fiddling or dropping them?

YES/NO

9. Does your child ever bring objects over to you (parent) to SHOW you something?

YES/NO

SECTION B: GP OR HV OBSERVATION:

i. During the appointment, has the child made eye contact with you?

YES/NO

ii. Get child's attention, then point across the room at an interesting object and say 'Oh look! There's a (name of toy!)' Watch child's face. Does the child look across to see what you are pointing at?

YES/NO*

iii. 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**

iv. Say to the child 'Where's the light?', or 'Show me the light'. Does the child POINT with his/her index finger at the light?

YES/NO***

v. Can the child build a tower of bricks? (If so how many?)
(Number of bricks:.............)

YES/NO


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* (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.)
** (If you can elicit an example of pretending in some other game, score a YES on this item.)
*** (Repeat this with 'Where's the teddy?' or some other unreachable object, if child does not understand the word 'light'. To record YES on this item, the child must have looked up at your face around the time of pointing.) Copyright of MRC/SBC 1995

Source:
http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=128&a=2226