Development And Application Of Autism Spectrum Disorders Risk Screening Scale For Preschool Children

Autism spectrum disorders(ASD)are widespread neurodevelopmental disorders that occur in infants and young children seriously affecting children’s social functions and quality of life,and causing a heavy burden on society and families.The incidence rate of ASD in preschool children is high,but many children with mild ASD are diagnosed in primary school,and these children will miss the best period of early intervention.Therefore,ASD risk screening for preschool children has important realistic meaning,but there is an urgent need for a localized ASD risk screening scale for preschool children.This study aimed to clarify the basic status and optimal combination of autism risk screening for preschool children by sorting out and analyzing representative preschool ASD risk screening tools in the preschool stage.Based on this,an ASD risk screening scale for preschool children was developed and applied to enrich the ASD risk screening system for preschool children in China.There were three studies included:Study 1 aimed to clarify the elements of ASD risk screening tool for preschool children.From the three dimensions of screening field,subject,and strategy,an indepth analysis was conducted of 11 representative ASD risk screening tools for preschool children.It was found that the best combination of ASD risk screening for preschool children was to take the field of social interaction and communication as the key field,preschool teachers as the ideal screening subject,and kindergarten situations as effective screening strategies.Study 2 aimed to develop an ASD risk screening scale for preschool children.Based on the key indicators extracted from Study 1 for ASD risk screening for preschool children,combined with interviews and existing tools,a preliminary scale entry was developed.Then,based on expert evaluation,the initial scale was modified and perfected.Through a survey and analysis of 757 valid questionnaires,it was found that the autism risk screening scale for preschool children contained 36 items,which can be evaluated from six aspects: social communication,peer interaction,self control,social adaptation,social cognition,and social motivation,with good reliability and validity.Study 3 aimed to apply the ASD risk screening scale for preschool children.The analysis found that there were significant differences in the ASD risk level among preschool children of different grades,with the overall risk level of children in small classes being higher.The risk level of children who were both cared for by their parents was lower,while the risk level of children who were mainly cared for by their grandparents was relatively higher.Rural children had higher ASD risk level.