The Efficacy of the Modified Checklist in Early Screening for Autistic Sudanese Toddlers

Background: Early recognition of autism is vital for effective intervention and management. Timely diagnosis ensures families and caregivers access to necessary services and professional support. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the M-CHAT as a screening tool for autism in Sudanese toddlers aged 18-36 months. Methods: This replication research compares data collected by the researcher with data from an earlier study on a different ethnic group, Sudanese. The sample consisted of 200 mothers of toddlers, split evenly between those with autism and those without. None had other developmental problems. The sample was purposively chosen. Mothers answered checklist items translated into Arabic. Results: Analysis revealed that the M-CHAT version performed well as a screening tool for autism in toddlers. M-CHAT proved its ability to differentiate between autistic and non-autistic toddlers; its significance was 0.05. Its reliability was found to be through Cronbach's Alpha 0.976. It was found through applying T-Test that there were differences between the two tested groups of toddlers. The inferential statistics showed that there was a difference between both sexes (males and females), with significance 0.05. Difference due to age did not exist between the 2 groups, or within the same group, with sig. = 0.05. Putting in mind that parents are usually the first to notice a problem their toddler encounters, the M-CHAT offers a potential simple and inexpensive method of screening at risk populations of toddlers for autism; that all parents could easily apply, this facilitates early referral to a multi-disciplinary evaluation team for diagnosis. Conclusion: Early screening leads to early intervention and efforts to encourage social adjustment and speech development and make the child able to respond appropriately. These findings reinforce the importance of integrating M-CHAT into routine paediatric care and public health strategies