Fernanda Prada Machado

Questionário de indicadores clínicos de risco para o desenvolvimento infantil: avaliação da sensibilidade para transtornos do espectro do autismo

Purpose To assess the sensitivity of the Clinical Risk Indicators for Early Childhood Development (IRDI) questionnaire for parents in identifying autism spectrum disorders. Methods Seventy-two subjects, which comprised parents of children aged 2 years 11 months to 7 years 7 months, participated in the study divided into two groups, namely the study and control groups. The IRDI questionnaire was administered in both groups, and the CARS-BR was applied in the study group. The data were subjected to statistical analysis, and the Pearson correlation coefficient between the IRDI questionnaire and CARS-BR was performed only for the study group to calculate validity. In defining the cutoff score generated by the IRDI questionnaire, the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used, and sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value were calculated. In the reliability analysis for the IRDI questionnaire, the Kappa coefficient and overall concordance was used. Results The IRDI questionnaire was easy to use, quick to complete, and inexpensive. Analysis of the internal consistency of the questions of the instruments presented good content. The IRDI questionnaire was positively correlated with the CARS-BR. The ROC curve analysis revealed good performance. Conclusion The evaluation of the sensitivity of the instrument for purposes of identifying autism spectrum disorders showed good performance according to the established cutoff point in the study.

Appropriateness of Using Autism Spectrum Disorders Screening Tools in a Hearing Evaluation Service

Objective: The aim was to test the appropriateness of using autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening tools in a hearing evaluation service. Patients and Methods: Forty-one children with a mean age of 2.8 years, of whom 33 (80.5%) were boys, were evaluated in an audiological diagnostic service using ASD screening tools that had been validated for use in Brazil and recommended by the Ministry of Health. Results: 82% of the subjects referred to the hearing diagnostic service over 18 months did not show any type of hearing loss, but 60% had early signs of autism. 10% had hearing loss and were at risk for autism. Conclusion: The data emphasize the importance of the awareness and the training of professionals working with young children in ASD screening. The data also suggest that screening young children in a hearing evaluation service may contribute to more timely identification of children at risk for ASD.

Respostas parentais aos sinais clássicos de autismo em dois instrumentos de rastreamento

Purpose To analyze the parental responses to questions investigating classic signs of autism using two different instruments (IRDI-questionnaire and M-Chat). Methods Forty-one children, 80% male, with a mean age of 2 years and 8 months, who were evaluated with two autism screening tools recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. After administration of both tools, seven questions were selected to make up the instruments and illustrate symbolically the classic signs of the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), answered by the parents of the subjects for further analysis. The subjects did not have a formal diagnosis of ASD, or any other diagnosis. Results The main predictors of importance were questions about “make-believe” playing, interest of the child in other children, the child’s response to “motherese”, and exchange of glances between mother and child. Conclusion Not all questions referring to the typical signs of autism showed to be good predictors of importance in the conducted analysis. The data lead us to reflect on a need to analyze a set of signs and not only isolated signs when facing a child with suspected ASD.

Feeding and eating behaviors in children with autism and typically developing children

Rev Soc Bras Fonoaudiol. 2009;14(3):433-4(1) Pos-graduanda (Doutorado) da Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Sao Paulo – PUC-SP – Sao Paulo (SP), Brasil. (2) Professora titular da Faculdade de Fonoaudiologia da Pontificia Universi-dade Catolica de Sao Paulo – PUC-SP – Sao Paulo (SP), Brasil. (3) Doutora, Professora da Faculdade de Fonoaudiologia da Pontificia Uni-versidade Catolica de Sao Paulo – PUC-SP – Sao Paulo (SP), Brasil.

La langue, organe clé des oralités/ The tongue, a key organ of oral processes

Rev Soc Bras Fonoaudiol. 2007;12(2):158-9 (1) Membro colaborador de projeto da linha de pesquisa Linguagem, Corpo e Psiquismo do Programa de Estudos Pós-graduados em Fonoaudiologia da Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo – PUC/SP – São Paulo (SP), Brasil. (2) Docente da Faculdade e do Programa de Estudos Pós-graduados em Fonoaudiologia da Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo – PUC/SP – São Paulo (SP), Brasil. Endereço para correspondência: Fernanda Prada Machado. R. Albuquerque Lins, 958/11, Higienópolis, São Paulo – SP, CEP 01230-000. E-mail: femachado@uol.com.br La langue, organe clé des oralités/ The tongue, a key organ of oral processes