What tool is utilized to screen a child for Autism Spectrum Disorder at 1.5 years old?

The M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers) questionnaire is specifically designed to screen for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children as young as 18 months, making it a suitable tool for assessing children around 1.5 years old. This screening tool consists of a series of questions that parents or caregivers answer, focusing on a child's behavior and development. The questions are tailored to identify early signs of autism, such as difficulties with social interaction, communication challenges, and repetitive behaviors.

While the other tools mentioned—ASQ-3 (Ages and Stages Questionnaires), Child Behavior Checklist, and PEDI (Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory)—are useful in broader developmental assessments and identifying various behavioral and developmental issues, they do not specifically target the criteria and signs associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder like the M-CHAT does. Therefore, using the M-CHAT at 1.5 years provides the most appropriate and focused approach for early screening of ASD in young children.