Risk Prediction using M-CHAT and Treatment with Speech and Occupational Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been increasingly recognized, with the prevalence of ASD in 2017 in Indonesia was 0.36%. ASD is faced with challenges in detection and intervention, considering its new awareness initiated around 10-15 years ago. Case Description: A 30-months-old male had a chief complaint of unable to form words. No other growth nor other pre-existing disorders were found. Denver II test found delay in speech and personal-social developments. M-CHAT found that the patient had a high risk of ASD. Behavioural Observational Therapy found no hearing disorders. The patient then received speech and occupational therapy, showing improvements in condition after 1 year of therapy. Discussion: Diagnosing ASD must undergo several steps, which were development assessment, hearing assessment, ASD screening, and ASD diagnostic evaluation. Endorsed tools by the Ministry of Health of Indonesia for development screening were KPSP and Denver II test. Hearing assessment could be screened through TDD but should not undermine the need for equal distribution of hearing assessment tools, such as OAE and BERA. ASD screening was mainly done using M-CHAT, since other tools were less sensitive and specific. Diagnostic evaluation would be done according to DSM-5 criteria, which was more specific yet less sensitive than its predecessor. Other tests for development and ASD screening must be studied to provide alternatives. Regarding treatment, more studies were needed to provide deeper evidence for current therapies. Conclusion: Further research in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of ASD is needed.