Autism Spectrum Screening Instrument (M-Chat) in Day Centers in the City of Iranduba-AM: Application and Its Significance

This chapter investigated the application of M-Chat method in children with autism spectrum disorder who did not have an early diagnosis, in four daycares in the city of Iranduba/AM.

Autism is one of a group of neurodevelopmental disorders known as pervasive developmental disorders. These disorders are characterized by three core deficits: impaired communication, impaired reciprocal social interaction and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviors or interests. This is a cross-sectional, quantitative study, with application of a questionnaire, however, specifically to measure behavioral criteria compatible with autistic spectrum disorder.

The method used for data collection was a modified version of the checklist for Autism in Toddlers, known as M-Chat. Specifically targeted were 116 children between ages 24 and 36 months who were at scholar age compatible with Maternal 1 and 2 respectively. In order to reveal the number of children with suspected Autistic Spectrum Disorder - ASD, without early diagnosis, in daycare centers in Iranduba-AM, teachers and guardians of 116 children in four municipal daycare centers in the city of Iranduba-AM were interviewed. Results yielded those 10 possible cases of ASD existed within this group; these individuals then underwent further evaluation by specialists at Psychosocial Care Center in Iranduba - AM called CAPS where 6 diagnoses of ASD were made: 5 females and only one male; results were contradictory to previous studies citing higher prevalence rates among males. The analysis of cases diagnosed in the target population of our study revealed a prevalence of 5.17 cases per 100 children. The cause for this outcome, as well as the potential tangible augmentation in global occurrence, remains unidentified.

Despite being regarded as a useful tool for research purposes based on our findings, it should be noted that accurate identification could not have been achieved without the involvement of attentive educators assisted by observant parents whose eagerness significantly contributed towards promoting early detection among affected children thus facilitating improved outcomes post-diagnosis intervention efforts.