Screening tools for autism spectrum disorders

Purpose - Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is important over the whole life span. Standardized instruments may support the assessment process. The purpose of this paper is to describe English- and German-screening tools for ASD. Design/methodology/approach - PubMed was used to search for published tools and evidence on their diagnostic validity. Findings - Searches identified 46 screening tools for ASD. Most are designed for children, while only few measures are available for adults, especially those with additional intellectual disabilities. Many instruments are under-researched, although a small number such as the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers and the SCQ have been widely examined in a variety of populations. Originality/value - The study identified and described a number of ASD screeners that can support clinicians or researchers when deciding whether to carry out a more comprehensive ASD assessment.