RÉSUMÉ
Objective: To work out a screening checklist for childhood autism and explore its reliability and validity. Methods: Items were selected based on the knowledge of clinical manifestation and diagnostic criteria of childhood autism. The autism diagnostic interview-revised version was used to refine the draft. Three groups (childhood autism, mental retardation and normal control) were used to test the reliability and validity of the new screening tool. Results: The checklist had satisfying reliability including good inter-rater reliability, test-retest reliability, split half reliability and internal consistency. The differential validity of the checklist and the differential diagnostic validity of the items were good, so as the construct validity and the criterion validity. The cut-off point for screening and diagnosis were 21 and 24 respectively. Conclusion: The childhood autism checklist has good reliability and validity, and fit for the situation of Chinese children with the disorder.