Early detection and referral of autism spectrum disorder: review of screening test validated in Chile

Early detection and referral of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are key in promoting the development of affected children. Recently, a law was enacted that indicates screening for ASD in health care services. This law represents a challenge for pediatricians working in outpatient care. The objective of this study is to review the usefulness of ASD screening in questionnaires and scales validated in Chile for the screening of psychomotor development, socio-emotional development and specific screening for ASD. The screening of psychomotor development evaluates general performance from an early age, indicating the first signs of delay, with a higher probability of ASD if there are indicators in the social and language domains. Social-emotional questionnaires can be applied early, including questions about signs of ASD, nevertheless, they are not routinely used in pediatric care in Chile. The specific ASD screening scales validated in Chile are the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers Q-CHAT (Q-CHAT) and the Autism Mental Status Exam (AMSE), for infants older than 15/18 months, with promising psychometric properties. It is recommended to complement clinical observation with general tests for screening psychomotor development, social-emotional development and specific scales for ASD screening, continuously throughout childhood. The implementation of online questionnaires should optimize their coverage and interpretation. Monitoring and early intervention are essential while confirming a diagnosis, regardless of the affected domain.