Summary: The SACS-R detection tool is extremely accurate at detecting autism in young children, a new study reports.
Source: La Trobe University
Researchers have found an early screening tool for autism developed by La Trobe University, Australia, researchers—and already used in Australia and 10 other countries—is the world’s most effective, and detects children 3+ years earlier than traditional testing.
Published in JAMA Network Open, the five-year study of over 13,500 Victorian children found the SACS-R to be extremely accurate in identifying very young children on the autism spectrum. Of the infants and toddlers aged 12 to 24 months flagged by the tool, 83% were later diagnosed with autism.
When used alongside a SACS-Preschool check, 96% of children on the autism spectrum were identified by their 3.5 year health check.
Lead researcher, Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro, from La Trobe University’s Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC), said the research points to the critical need for the SACS-R and SACS-Preschool to be rolled out across Australia and the world, as part of regular infant health checks.
“Parents are often told to “wait and see” when raising concerns about their child’s development. This means the average age of diagnosis is around four to five, and opportunities for early supports have been missed,” Associate Professor Barbaro said.
“Putting this extremely effective tool in the hands of a trained primary health professional, so that during their routine health checks they are also screening for autism, makes a huge difference to early diagnosis.
“Not only is SACS-R the world’s most effective screening tool, unlike many it can be used within the community on large populations, enabling early identification of very young children across the board,” Associate Professor Barbaro said.
Every Victorian child attending a routine health check at 12, 18 and 24 months is already screened using the SACS-R tool, after the Victorian Government funded state-wide training for maternal and child health nurses in 2019.
The added SACS-Preschool tool can be used at the 3.5-year health check to increase the effectiveness of the identification process—though training for that is not currently funded in Victoria.
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO said the screening tool is an excellent example of high-impact research that can make a tangible difference to people’s lives.
“Early autism identification using this tool has already changed the lives of thousands of children and their families around the world,” Professor Dewar said.
“An extraordinary contribution by La Trobe’s autism experts, this new research will likely lead to even more countries adopting the tool and embedding screening programs into their health systems.”
Early diagnosis of autism is critical, as it leads to earlier access to supports, services and therapies. It improves developmental outcomes, increases participation in mainstream schooling, and reduces supports required as children get older.
The accuracy of autism screening tools used in other parts of the world is very limited, including the well-known M-CHAT, which has an accuracy level of just 6% when used in a community-based population. More information on OTARC’s research into autism detection and diagnosis can be found here.
About the SACS-R tool
The Social Attention and Communication Surveillance-Revised (SACS-R) and SACS-Preschool (SACS-PR) tools were tested using funds from the Autism CRC and Menzies Foundation.
Developed over 15 years by Associate Professor Barbaro, the tool is used to identify a set of behaviors that are characteristic of children on the spectrum from as young as 11 months old, including infrequent or inconsistent use of:
- gestures, like waving and pointing at objects
- response to name being called
- eye contact
- imitation or copying others’ activities
- sharing interest with others
- pretend play
SACS-R is now used state-wide in Victoria and Tasmania, and training has been completed in New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia.
Health professionals in ten other countries around the world—including China, Singapore, Poland, Japan, New Zealand, Nepal and Bangladesh—have also been trained in using the tool.
About this autism research news
Author: Press Office
Source: La Trobe University
Contact: Press Office – La Trobe University
Image: The image is credited to La Trobe University
Original Research: Open access.
“Diagnostic Accuracy of the Revised and Preschool Versions of the Social Attention and Communication Surveillance Tool to Identify Early Autism in Young Children” by Josephine Barbaro et al. JAMA Network Open
Abstract
Diagnostic Accuracy of the Revised and Preschool Versions of the Social Attention and Communication Surveillance Tool to Identify Early Autism in Young Children
Importance
Early identification of children on the autism spectrum is crucial to facilitate access to early supports and services for children and families. The need for improved early autism identification tools is highlighted by the lack of sufficient diagnostic accuracy in current tools.
Objectives
To examine the diagnostic accuracy of the Social Attention and Communication Surveillance–Revised (SACS-R) and SACS-Preschool (SACS-PR) tools when used with a large, community-based, convenience sample and identify the prevalence of autism in this sample.
Design, Setting, and Participants
This diagnostic accuracy study was conducted in Melbourne, Australia, training maternal and child health nurses who monitored 13 511 children aged 11 to 42 months using the SACS-R and SACS-PR during their routine consultations (June 1, 2013, to July 31, 2018). Children identified as being at high likelihood for autism (12-24 months of age: n = 327; 42 months of age: n = 168) and at low likelihood for autism plus concerns (42 months of age: n = 28) were referred by their maternal and child health nurse for diagnostic assessment by the study team. Data analysis was performed from April 13, 2020, to November 29, 2021.
Exposures
Children were monitored with SACS-R and SACS-PR at 12, 18, 24, and 42 months of age.
Main Outcomes and Measures
Diagnostic accuracy of the SACS-R and SACS-PR was determined by comparing children’s likelihood for autism with their diagnostic outcome using clinical judgment based on standard autism assessments (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule–Second Edition and Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised).
Results
A total of 13 511 children (female: 6494 [48.1%]; male: 7017 [51.9%]) were monitored at least once with the SACS-R at their 12-, 18-, and 24-month-old routine maternal and child health consultations (mean [SD] age, 12.3 [0.59] months at 12 months; 18.3 [0.74] months at 18 months; 24.6 [1.12] months at 24 months) and followed up at their 42-month maternal and child health consultation (mean [SD] age, 44.0 [2.74] months) with SACS-PR (8419 [62.3%]). At 12 to 24 months, SACS-R showed high diagnostic accuracy, with 83% positive predictive value (95% CI, 0.77-0.87) and 99% estimated negative predictive value (95% CI, 0.01-0.02). Specificity (99.6% [95% CI, 0.99-1.00]) was high, with modest sensitivity (62% [95% CI, 0.57-0.66]). When the SACS-PR 42-month assessment was added, estimated sensitivity increased to 96% (95% CI, 0.94-0.98). Autism prevalence was 2.0% (1 in 50) between 11 and 30 months of age and 3.3% (1 in 31) between 11 and 42 months of age.
Conclusions and Relevance
The SACS-R with SACS-PR (SACS-R+PR) had high diagnostic accuracy for the identification of autism in a community-based sample of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, indicating the utility of early autism developmental surveillance from infancy to the preschool period rather than 1-time screening. Its greater accuracy compared with psychometrics of commonly used autism screening tools when used in community-based samples suggests that the SACS-R+PR can be used universally for the early identification of autism.
