What causes social communication disorders?
There is considerable evidence that a genetic link exists. This means that if you have one child who has a social communication disorder, the chances are increased that your other children will also have one of the conditions. However, other factors may also play a role. How is the CHAT administered? The CHAT consists of two sections (see below). The first nine items are questions asked of the parents, and the last four items are observations made by the nurse practitioner or the physician. The key items look at behaviors which, if absent at 18 months, put a child at risk for social communication disorder. These behaviors are (a) point attention, including pointing to show and gaze monitoring (e.g., looking to where the parenting is pointing) and (b) pretend play (e.g., pretending to serve milk or juice.) What supplies are needed for the CHAT? Toy cup and doll or stuffed animal to pretend to feed. How is CHAT scored? The CHAT is very easy to score. There are five key items. A5 (pretend
