In many parts of the world, autism diagnosis waits until the child is in school. But by then, we have missed the “golden window” of neuroplasticity—the critical period before age 3 when the brain is most adaptable.
The challenge is: How do we spot signs so early, especially in rural communities where a developmental pediatrician might be hundreds of kilometers away?
The answer came from the Child Development Centre (CDC) in Kerala. They realized that we don’t always need doctors to spot the first signs—we just need observant parents and empowered community workers.
The Science: Grassroots Screening
The Trivandrum Autism Behavior Checklist (TABC) was developed specifically to bring autism screening out of the hospital and into the community (the “Anganwadis”).
Unlike complex clinical tools, the TABC was designed to be used by health workers and parents with minimal training. It focuses on the specific behavioral markers of autism in toddlers aged 18 to 36 months.
Research conducted in Kerala showed that this tool is incredibly effective at “filtering.” It acts as a wide net, catching children who are showing early red flags—like not pointing at objects or not engaging in pretend play—so they can be referred to specialists immediately. It is a triumph of public health engineering.
The Tool: TABC
The checklist consists of 20 simple items divided into four sections:
- Social Interaction: (e.g., Does the child look at you when you call?)
- Communication: (e.g., Does the child use gestures?)
- Behavior: (e.g., Does the child rock their body?)
- Sensory: (e.g., Is the child overly sensitive to sounds?)
👉 Access the Tool: Trivandrum Autism Checklist (TABC)
What To Do With Your Score
- The “Referral” Threshold: In community screening, any significant number of “No” answers to social/communication questions or “Yes” answers to behavioral concerns is a trigger for referral.
- If You are a Parent: Use this checklist as a conversation starter. If you notice these signs, take the completed list to your pediatrician. It helps you articulate exactly what worries you.
- The Goal: The TABC is not about labeling a child; it is about getting them into Early Intervention Programs (like speech or play therapy) as fast as possible.
Safety & Disclaimer
This tool is for educational and screening purposes only.
- Not a Diagnosis: The TABC cannot diagnose autism. It only identifies risk. A high score means “Go see a doctor,” not “Your child has autism.”
- Trust Your Instincts: Even if the score is low, if you feel something is wrong, seek a professional opinion.
References
- Child Development Centre (CDC), Kerala. (2006). Development of Trivandrum Autism Behavior Checklist (TABC).
- Malathy, M., & Nair, M. K. C. (2009). Screening for autism in a community setting: Validation of TABC. Indian Pediatrics.
- Nair, M. K. C., et al. (2014). Child Development Centre model of early intervention for autism spectrum disorders. Indian Journal of Medical Research.