Can This Software Detect Autism?

The “Child Health Improvement through Computer Automation” system (CHICA), is a relatively new software that physicians are using to screen children for autism. It has the ability to both personalize AND automate a patient screening. The results are sent directly to the patient’s physician if the screening finds signs of autism.

This “autism software” was originally implemented in 2004 and has since helped over 36,000 patients. What does this tell us? Most importantly – CHICA is not being utilized on a wide enough scale. This screening process is most often implemented at the 24-month check up. Recent studies show us that signs of autism can be found in babies much younger than two years, and early diagnosis is key to helping a child live a fulfilling life.

CHICA is comprised of a 20-question pre-screening form that is linked to the child’s medical information. The autism software notes higher risk factors like an autistic sibling.

Rick Nauert, PHD tells us, “At the 24-month visit, CHICA produces a standard autism screening instrument that is automatically scored. If concerns are raised, the physician receives an alert to verify and make a referral for further work-up and/or early intervention.”

It’s important for parents to be vigilant in their children’s healthcare. You can find out if your physician is utilizing CHICA, and even if they are, it can be easy for a physician to miss the early signs of autism. Unlike chicken pox, you can’t do a quick once over and determine if a child has autism. Early autism symptoms can present differently in each child.

“What’s important here is that CHICA will help pediatricians identify autism earlier when treatment is more likely to be effective,” says Stephen M. Downs, M.D., M.S. “We hope CHICA can go beyond alerting the physician to positive responses to autism prescreening and create alerts directed to a nurse or developmental specialist for support and follow-up.”