Instruments to track risk signs for autism spectrum disorder in early development: Integrative literature review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Screening children for risk factors associated with autism spectrum disorders is essential to mitigate the potential impact of communication and behavioral impairment. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify and analyze the screening tools used with children aged 12-24 months available in Brazilian and international indexed literature. METHODS: This literature review included articles published from 2010 to 2020 in the following platforms: Google Scholar, Medline, PubMed, CAPES, Lilacs and SciELO. RESULTS: We selected 15 articles describing 15 screening tools, three of which had been translated into Portuguese (MCHAT, PREAUT and IRDI). CONCLUSIONS: Given the relevance of early interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders, more studies about screening tools are needed at a national level. At an international level, methods with higher sensitivity and specificity used in the analysis of autism spectrum disorders need to be standardized.