BabySibs – Autism Screening Service for Singapore Toddlers

Partner(s)

KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Due to genetics, siblings of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are 20 times more likely to have autism. Hence, there is a need for a structured screening framework to enable early detection of and intervention for children with autism.

Under the programme, a parent-child pair will undergo three screening visits at 12, 18 and 30 months old. The tools used at screenings are:
- M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers): an internationally-recognised questionaire tool
- ASDetect: an app-based screening tool
- SACS (Social Attention and Communication Study): detailed assessment conducted by a health professional

At 36 months old, a psychologist will conduct the ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) test to confirm if the child has autism. Screening results and parent surveys from the pilot programme will be reviewed to determine the most suitable community-based screening model for autism in Singapore. Community partners will then be trained in this screening framework to serve children in the community.