An 18-month-old toddler attends a routine well-child visit. Which autism-specific screening instrument is recommended for administration at this visit?
- A Vanderbilt Assessment Scale
- B Denver Developmental Screening Test II
- C Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT-R) ✓
- D Conners Rating Scale
Correct answer: C. Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT-R)
Explanation
The M-CHAT-R, ideally with follow-up interview, is the validated autism-specific screening tool recommended at the 18 month and again at the 24 month visits, since it detects toddlers at risk who need full diagnostic evaluation. The Denver II screens global development across domains but is not autism specific and cannot diagnose. The Vanderbilt and Conners scales are teacher and parent rating instruments for ADHD, which makes them wrong tools for this purpose.
Reference: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 21st ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.