Diagnosing autism with CASD

CASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders Screening Checklist) is an effective tool designed for the initial identification of children with autism.

CASD Methodology

Covers 6 major groups of traits:

Social interaction: difficulty making eye contact, inability to play together, lack of social connections.
Verbal and nonverbal communication: speech delay, echolalia, inability to understand nonverbal cues.
Limited, repetitive interests and behaviors: stereotyped movements, attachment to certain objects, ritualistic behavior.
Sensory impairments: increased or decreased sensitivity to sensory stimuli.
Cognitive impairments: learning difficulties, inability to generalize skills.
Associated problems: ADHD, anxiety, epilepsy.

The CASD consists of 30 questions, each of which assesses the presence or absence of a symptom.

Takes 15-20 minutes to complete.

Can be completed by:

Parents: knowing the child’s developmental history and behavior allows them to answer the questions most accurately.
Teachers: observing the child in a learning environment may reveal additional symptoms.
Specialists: psychologists, psychiatrists, speech therapists.

High accuracy: CASD identifies children with ASD with 99.5% reliability.
Reliability: Studies have shown that CASD is 93-98% consistent with widely recognized methods of diagnosing ASD, and 90% consistent with the diagnosis of doctors and parents.
Ease of use: the CASD is easy to complete and requires no specialized knowledge.
Versatility: The CASD can be used for children of any age, cognitive level, and severity of the disorder.
Concise: The CASD allows for rapid screening for autism.

As an initial screening of children for autism in pediatric offices, daycare centers, and schools.
As an auxiliary tool in the comprehensive diagnosis of RAS.
To monitor the dynamics of a child with ASD.

To make a definitive diagnosis of RAS, a comprehensive diagnosis is necessary, which includes:

Examination by a psychiatrist: assessment of the child’s mental status, identification of specific symptoms of RAS.
Examination by a psychologist: assessment of cognitive development, speech, and social skills.
Speech therapy evaluation: assessment of speech skills, development of a speech therapy program.
Other studies (as indicated): EEG, MRI, genetic studies.

Consult a specialist: psychiatrist, psychologist, speech therapist.
Have a comprehensive diagnosis including CASD and other methods.
Consult other specialists (neurologist, epileptologist, geneticist) if necessary.

In a pediatric office: a pediatrician can use CASD to screen all children 18-24 months of age.
In a daycare center: a child care provider may complete a CASD for a child who has difficulty socializing with peers.
In school: a psychologist can use the CASD to assess children who have learning or behavioral problems.

CASD is a valuable tool that can help identify children with autism at an early stage.