학술논문

Improving Early Identification and Access to Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Toddlers in a Culturally Diverse Community with the Rapid Interactive screening Test for Autism in Toddlers.
Document Type
Article
Source
Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders. Nov2021, Vol. 51 Issue 11, p3937-3945. 9p. 1 Diagram, 2 Charts, 1 Graph.
Subject
*DIAGNOSIS of autism
*HEALTH services accessibility
*TIME
*MEDICAL screening
*CULTURAL pluralism
*COMMUNITY health services
*DEVELOPMENTAL disabilities
*MANN Whitney U Test
*DESCRIPTIVE statistics
*DATA analysis software
*EARLY diagnosis
*EARLY medical intervention
*CHILDREN
Language
ISSN
0162-3257
Abstract
The objective of this study was to test a screening model that employs the Rapid Interactive Screening Test for Autism in Toddlers (RITA-T), in an underserved community to improve ASD detection. We collaborated with a large Early Intervention (EI) program and trained 4 providers reliably on the RITA-T. Toddlers received the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (MCHAT-R/F), the RITA-T, developmental and autism testing, and a best-estimate clinical diagnosis. Eighty-One toddlers were enrolled: 57 with ASD and 24 with Developmental Delay (DD) non-ASD. Wait-time for diagnosis was on average 6 weeks. The RITA-T correlated highly with autism measures and EI staff integrated this model easily. The RITA-T significantly improved the identification and wait time for ASD in this underserved community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]