CHECKLIST FOR AUTISM IN TODDLERS ( CHAT )

Taken from Baron-Cohen, S., Allen, J. and Gillberg, C. (1992) CAN AUTISM BE DETECTED AT 18 MONTHS ? THE NEEDLE, THE HAYSTACK, AND THE CHAT. British Journal of Psychiatry (1992). Volume 161: 839-843

 ( To be used by GPs or health visitors during the 18-month developmental check-up. )

Child's name:  _____________________________________

Date of birth:_______________________________________

Child's age:________________________________________

Child's address:____________________________________

Phone number:_____________________________________



 SECTION A: ASK PARENT:

1. Does your child enjoy being swung, bounced on your knee. etc? Yes / No

2. Does your child take an interest in other children? Yes / No

3. Does your child like climbing on things, such as up stairs? Yes / No

4. Does your child enjoy playing peek-a-boo/hide-and-seek? Yes / No

5. Does your child ever pretend, for example, to make a cup of tea using a toy cup and teapot, or pretend other things? Yes No

6. Does your child ever use his/her index finger to point, to ask for something? Yes / No

7. Does your child ever use his/her index finger to point, to indicate interest in something? Yes / No

8. Can your child play properly with small toys ( e.g. cars or bricks ) without just mouthing, fiddling, or dropping them? Yes / No

9. Does your child ever bring objects over to you (parent), to show you something? Yes / No

 SECTION B:    GP'S OR HEALTH VISITOR'S OBSERVATION:

  1. During the appointment, has the child made eye contact with you?  Yes / No
  2. Get child's attention, then point across the room at an interesting object and say " Oh look! There's a ( name a toy )" . Watch child's face. Does the child look across to see what you are pointing at? Yes / No
  3. Get the child's attention, then give child a miniature toy cup and teapot and say " Can you make a cup of tea ?" Does the child pretend to pour out tea, drink it, etc. ? Yes / No
  4. Say to the child "Where's the light ?", or " Show me the light " Does the child point with his/her index finger at the light. Yes / No
  5. Can the child build a tower of bricks ? ( If so, how many ? )  Yes / No