Mississippi Autism Collaboration CoalitionThe University of Southern Mississippi

Institute for Disability Studies

Become aware of Mississippi Autism Collaboration Coalition

Understand the importance of early identification for young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Review the new way to view a child’s growth Become familiar with the M-CHAT, a

developmental screener specific for Autism Spectrum Disorders

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IDS is Mississippi's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Research, Education, and Service.

IDS is housed at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Satellite offices are located in the capitol city of Jackson and at the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach.

The mission of IDS is to positively affect the lives of Mississippi citizens with developmental and other disabilities and their families across the life span and to work toward increasing their independence, productivity, and integration into their communities.

IDS has a variety of programs to assist individuals with disabilities and their families with priority areas such as housing, early intervention, inclusive child care, assistive technology, recreation, health, education, and family support.

Contact IDS:1.888.671.0051

www.usm.edu/ids

Mississippi Autism Collaboration Coalition◦ A group of parents and professionals working together

to promote early identification for young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Supported by…◦ The University of Southern Mississippi, Institute for

Disability Studies◦ Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)◦ Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC)◦ Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs

(AMCHP)

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MACC provides training to early childhood educators and healthcare professionals

MACC is providing technical assistance to model practices in each of Mississippi’s health districts

MACC refers to Project PREPARE to provide technical assistance to early childhood educators

MACC recognizes various programs across the state and the South East to provide diagnostic evaluation services

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Learn the Signs. Act Early!

www.cdc.gov

Early Detection Early Intervention

Social Interaction

Communication

Behavior/Sensory

Build secure relationships

Adult support in an inclusive environment

Speech and Language Therapy

Alternative ways to communicate

Occupational Therapy Classroom support

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Sensory

Social Interaction and Communication

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M-CHAT

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Developmental surveillance at all well child visits

Standardized general developmental screening test a 9, 18, and 24 months or when there is a concern

Specific Autism Spectrum Disorder screening test at 18 and 24 months

Refer for early intervention services while waiting for diagnostic developmental evaluation

Administration

Scoring

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1. Does your child enjoy being swung, bounced on your knee, etc.? Yes No2. Does your child take an interest in other children? Yes No3. Does your child like climbing on things, such as up stairs? Yes No4. Does your child enjoy playing peek-a-boo/hide-and-seek? Yes No 5. Does your child ever pretend, for example, to talk on the phoneor take care of a doll or pretend other things? Yes No6. Does your child ever use his/her index finger to point, to askfor something? Yes No7. Does your child ever use his/her index finger to point, to indicate interest in something? Yes No8. Can your child play properly with small toys (e.g. cars or blocks)without just mouthing, fiddling, or dropping them? Yes No9. Does your child ever bring objects over to you (parent) to show you something? Yes No10. Does your child look you in the eye for more than a second or two? Yes No

Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT; Robbins, Fein, & Barton, 1999)

11. Does your child ever seem oversensitive to noise? (e.g., plugging ears) Yes No12. Does your child smile in response to your face or your smile? Yes No13. Does your child imitate you? (e.g., you make a face-will your child imitate it?) Yes No14. Does your child respond to his/her name when you call? Yes No15. If you point at a toy across the room, does your child look at it? Yes No16. Does your child walk? Yes No17. Does your child look at things you are looking at? Yes No18. Does your child make unusual finger movements near his/her face? Yes No19. Does your child try to attract your attention to his/her own activity? Yes No20. Have you ever wondered if your child is deaf? Yes No21. Does your child understand what people say? Yes No22. Does your child sometimes stare at nothing or wander with no purpose? Yes No23. Does your child look at your face to check your reaction when faced with something unfamiliar? Yes No

Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT; Robbins, Fein, & Barton, 1999)

M-Chat questions

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Now What?

Southern Region• Hattiesburg Clinic-

Connections• Pine Grove Outpatient

Services• The Southern Miss

Psychology Service Center

• Will’s Way, LLC• The Southern Miss

Pediatric Evaluation and Developmental Services (PEDS)

Central Region• The University of

Mississippi Child Development Program

Northern Region• Baptist Children and

Adolescent Rehabilitation and Evaluation Service (Baptist C.A.R.E.S)

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The Institute for Disability StudiesMississippi Autism Collaboration Coalition

MACC601.266.5163

Alicia Westbrook, MS – Alicia.Westbrook @usm.eduBeth Bruton, CPNP – Elizabeth.Bruton@usm.edu

Contact IDS:1.888.671.0051

www.usm.edu/ids

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