According to recent research from the United States, 'Early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) currently represents a critical public health and clinical practice issue. Waits for diagnostic services are quite lengthy and hinder the start of early intervention services thought to be crucial for optimizing functional developmental outcomes for children and their families. in this study, we present data from a newly developed training program (Screening Tools and Referral Training-Evaluation and Diagnosis training) designed to help pediatricians diagnose young children with ASD in the context of traditional community practice settings.'
'A small, targeted group of community pediatricians participated in an intensive training, conducted specialized ASD evaluations within their own practices, and then referred a consecutive series of children to a medical center diagnostic clinic for an independent assessment of ASD. Results of this small pilot study indicate good agreement (71%) between pediatrician judgments and independent diagnostic ASD evaluations, but a significant trend toward overidentification when a diagnostic decision is forced,' wrote Z. Warren and colleagues, Vanderbilt University.
The researchers concluded: 'We discuss the implications of this study with regard to revisiting traditional service models of diagnostic assessment for young children with ASD.'
Warren and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (A Training Model for the Diagnosis of Autism in Community Pediatric Practice. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 2009;30(5):442-446).
For additional information, contact Z. Warren, Vanderbilt University, Kennedy Center, Dept. of Pediatrics, MRL Bldg, Peabody Box 74, 230 Appleton Pl, Nashville, TN 37203, USA.
Publisher contact information for the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics is: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106-3621, USA.
Keywords: United States, Nashville, Life Sciences, Pediatrics, Developmental Disabilities, Neurology, Autism, Behavioral Pediatrics, Diagnostics, Public Health, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University.
This article was prepared by Pediatrics Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Pediatrics Week via NewsRx.com.
