Screening instruments for early detection of autism spectrum disorder in spanish speaking communities / Instrumentos de detección temprana de los trastornos del espectro autista para poblaciones de habla hispana

BACKGROUND: Since autism detection protocols rely primarily on parental accounts of early symptoms, the use by Spanish-speaking populations of screening tools developed in a different language and socio-cultural context (usually English) might hamper the success of early detection programs. METHOD: A systematic search in four databases was completed, identifying 59 tools used for ASD detection. Of these, only nine tools had been applied in Spanish-speaking populations, and of those, only five can be considered specific tools for the early detection of autism. RESULTS: Sensitivity detecting autism was generally lower in the Spanish versions of the reviewed instruments, while specificity tended to be equal to or higher than that reported in the original screeners. CONCLUSIONS: Heterogeneity and poor methodological rigor of the studies conducted to date emphasize an urgent need for a concerted effort to develop reliable and valid instruments for the early detection of autism in Spanish-speaking populations worldwide

ANTECEDENTES: puesto que los protocolos de detección del autismo se basan principalmente en el relato de los padres sobre los síntomas tempranos, el uso de herramientas de detección desarrolladas en un idioma y un contexto sociocultural diferentes (generalmente en inglés) en las poblaciones de habla hispana podría obstaculizar el éxito de los programas de detección temprana. MÉTODO: se completó una búsqueda sistemática en cuatro bases de datos, identificando 59 herramientas utilizadas para la detección de TEA. De estas, solo nueve herramientas habían sido aplicadas en poblaciones hispanohablantes, y de estas, solo cinco pueden considerarse herramientas específicas para la detección temprana del autismo. RESULTADOS: la sensibilidad para detectar el autismo fue generalmente menor en las versiones en español de los instrumentos revisados, mientras que la especificidad tendió a ser igual o mayor que la reportada en las revisiones originales. CONCLUSIONES: la heterogeneidad y el escaso rigor metodológico de los estudios realizados hasta la fecha ponen de manifiesto la urgente necesidad de un esfuerzo concertado para desarrollar instrumentos fiables y válidos para la detección precoz del autismo en las poblaciones hispanohablantes de todo el mundo

Screening instruments for early detection of autism spectrum disorder in Spanish speaking communities.

BACKGROUND: Since autism detection protocols rely primarily on parental accounts of early symptoms, the use by Spanish-speaking populations of screening tools developed in a different language and socio-cultural context (usually English) might hamper the success of early detection programs. METHOD: A systematic search in four databases was completed, identifying 59 tools used for ASD detection. Of these, only nine tools had been applied in Spanish-speaking populations, and of those, only five can be considered specific tools for the early detection of autism. RESULTS: Sensitivity detecting autism was generally lower in the Spanish versions of the reviewed instruments, while specificity tended to be equal to or higher than that reported in the original screeners. CONCLUSIONS: Heterogeneity and poor methodological rigor of the studies conducted to date emphasize an urgent need for a concerted effort to develop reliable and valid instruments for the early detection of autism in Spanish-speaking populations worldwide.