Autism Mental Status Examination: A Preliminary Report of an Italian Version

Background: The Autism Mental Status Examination (AMSE) is a new tool introduced to evaluate individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). AMSE consists in a brief evaluation focused on the main features of Autism and combines clinical observations with information from parents. It is an eight items module to be administred in unstructured clinical setting.The use of this tool appears useful especially when Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and or Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) are not feasible. 

Objectives: To develop an AMSE version applicable in Italy. To describe the application of AMSE to the Italian population of children and adolescents with suspect ASDs. To verify the reliability of AMSE Italian version.

Methods: 67 subjects, 9 F and 58 M, age 20 months – 18,2 ys range, mean ys 6,8  SD +/-4,07, suspected to have an ASDs, have been evaluated in a clinical setting that included AMSE and ADOS evaluation.

Results: With a cut-off of 5, as proposed by the USA authors, we were able to correctly classified 91% of the sample. In the Italian experience AMSE allowed a correct classification of ASD according to ADOS criteria and clinical evalutaion. 

Conclusions: This is preliminary report of an ongoing study aimed at replicating and validating the findings obtained with the first study using AMSE. The main positive finding is regarding  classification accuracy of ASD.  AMSE holds promise as a standardized and rapid autism-focused mental status examination.