Adaptation of assessment for autism in developing countries: a personal experience in Lao.

To be published in CDMH International Journal, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Abstract

The project aimed to investigate the possibility of adaptation of the gold standard (being ADOS and ADI-R) for diagnose autism in Lao. This paper presents a personal project, at first created for humanitarian purpose. The adaptation of the material the confusion between autism and mental retardation were the mean difficulties.

The project took place in a special education centre in Vientiane, Lao. It involved 23 children at first screened positive with M-CHAT. Among those, 17 were assessed with ADOS and ADI-R. The physical examination was made as possible by a physician.

Out the 23 children participating to the project, 56% were diagnose with developmental disorder including autism. The average age of children was 5 years and 3 months, the minimum age is 2 years and the maximum is 10 years. The rate of false positive with the M-CHAT is 44%. The ADOS and ADI-R had matching results.

The results enlighten the possible use of the gold standard, as well as the necessity of collaboration with local experts. This study cannot conclude to any result concerning the epidemiology of autism in Lao, regarding to the small size of the sample. Future projects should be done including different population from different areas, and an international team of physicians and clinicians.

Keywords: Lao, autism, adaptation of assessment, gold standard