Examining Early Identification Of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Early identification, referral, diagnosis, and intervention are critical to the promotion of lifelong positive developmental trajectories for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Although psychometrically sound screening and diagnostic assessment measures exist and a reliable diagnosis of ASD can be made before children are two years of age, the average age of official diagnosis is well over four years. While research has shed some initial light on factors associated with delayed identification, referral, and diagnosis of ASD, all issues have been examined through population-level analyses based on retrospective caregiver self-report. Further, although suggested as an important research direction to confirm clinical information, no studies to date have analyzed factors associated with the pathway toward referral for ASD and subsequent diagnosis of ASD through examination of data reported in electronic health records. Thus, to address these limitations and develop a greater understanding of the pathway towards referral and diagnosis, the current exploratory study sought to examine clinical information from the electronic health records of all infants, children, and adolescents who were seen by a provider for an initial diagnostic visit in a specialty diagnostic clinic within a one-year period (September 12, 2019 - September 12, 2020). An array of child-related, family-related, and referring healthcare provider-related factors were examined as predictor variables to determine their association with match of referral for ASD and subsequent diagnosis of ASD, as well as to identify if there were specific factors that were consistently associated with early identification and referral of children at or under the age of three (younger than 47 months). Results indicated that 19 diagnostic (developmental, social-emotional, and medical disorders), demographic (race/ethnicity, sex, age, and geographic location), historical (caregiver-reported concerns), and professional licensure (provider practice type) factors and factor combinations predicted match of referral and diagnosis with ASD, while 35 separate diagnostic (developmental and social-emotional disorders), service provision (early and therapeutic supports), historical (caregiver-reported concerns), professional licensure (provider practice and role type), and clinical practice (screening conduction) factors and factor combinations were associated with timeliness of referral. These findings suggest important considerations for clinical practice and training, as well as highlight future research directions.

This book examines early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) programs for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It analyzes current research on early intervention (EI) and explains the importance of accurate, timely detection of ASD in facilitating the use of EI. Chapters address five widely researched EIBI approaches: Discrete Trial Training, Pivotal Response Training, the Early Start Denver Model, Prelinguistic Milieu Teaching, and Enhanced Milieu Teaching. This in-depth study of current EIBI approaches offers a rigorous guide to earlier and more intensive interventions for children with ASD, leading to greater autonomy and improved later life outcomes for individuals. Featured topics include: Parent-implemented interventions and related issues. Evaluations of controversial interventions used with children with ASD. Factors contributing to rising ASD prevalence. Obstacles to obtaining accurate ASD diagnosis in young children. Early Intervention for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder is an essential resource for researchers, clinicians, and graduate students in developmental, clinical child, and school psychology, behavioral therapy/rehabilitation, social work, public health, educational policy and politics, and related psychology and behavioral health fields.

Identifying Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as early as possible can have a significant, positive impact on the child's journey to adaptation and independence. Yet too few diagnoses take place at an early, developmentally crucial stage. This unique visual guide aims to equip readers with the skills to recognise ASD in very young children. The book provides a systematic framework for understanding the complex nature of ASD. From social interaction to communication to restricted and repetitive behaviors, each chapter focuses on key symptoms and uses photographs to illustrate and enhance understanding of presenting or absent behaviors. It is written in an accessible style and covers all of the core aspects of ASD, giving readers everything they need to be able to successfully identify the behavioral indicators of autism. A final chapter provides an overview of assessment options for young children being evaluated for possible ASD. Taking a visual approach to identifying ASD in very young children, this book will be a valuable resource for early intervention professionals and students, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists, paediatricians, teachers as well as parents of children pre- and post-diagnosis.

This book examines early interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with the goal to enable primary care physicians as well as other clinicians, therapists, and practitioners to assist parents in making informed decisions based on current research. It provides a map for successfully navigating the maze of early interventions for ASD, focusing on evidence. Chapters review the similarities and differences between current evidence-based treatments, how these treatments work, the factors that facilitate their effectiveness, and the pros and cons of their use for different children and different needs. In addition, chapters discuss the services, laws, policies, and societal issues related to early intervention in ASD. Featured topics include: Criteria to evaluate evidence in ASD interventions. Effective approaches for Social communication difficulties in ASD. Effective approaches for Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) in ASD. Naturalistic, developmental approaches to early intervention for children with ASD The TEACCH approach and other visually based approaches for children with ASD. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) approaches to early intervention for children with ASD. What works for whom in ASD early intervention Clinical Guide to Early Interventions for Children with Autism is an essential resource for clinicians, primary care providers, and other practitioners as well as researchers, professors, and graduate students in the fields of child, school, and developmental psychology, pediatrics, social work, child and adolescent psychiatry, primary care medicine, and related disciplines.

The fourth edition of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Identification, Education, and Treatment continues the mission of its predecessors: to present a comprehensive, readable, and up-to-date overview of the field of autism; one that links research, theory, and practice in ways that are accessible to students, practitioners, and parents. During the last decade, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have emerged as the fastest growing developmental disability, and, in response to the dramatic increase in diagnoses, diagnostic criteria in the newly published DSM-5 are significantly different than they were in the DSM IV-R. The structure, content, and format of Autism Spectrum Disorders, 4th Edition have been revised to accommodate changes in the field and to illuminate the current state of the art in the study of autism. New information on early identification, transition education from adolescence through to adulthood, neurobiological research, and technology-based solutions is included.

This authoritative resource, now thoroughly revised for DSM-5, has set the standard for the comprehensive assessment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Leading experts demonstrate how to craft a scientifically grounded profile of each child?s strengths and difficulties, make a formal diagnosis, and use assessment data to guide individualized intervention in clinical and school settings. Chapters review state-of-the-art instruments and approaches for evaluating specific areas of impairment in ASD and co-occurring emotional and behavioral disorders. Considerations in working with children of different ages are highlighted. With a primary focus on children, several chapters also address assessment of adolescents and adults. ÿ New to This Edition *Chapter on key implications of DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, plus related updates throughout the volume. *Chapter on advances in early identification (ages 0?3). *Chapter with in-depth case examples illustrating the evaluation decision-making process and common diagnostic challenges. *Chapters on pseudoscience (including strategies for advising parents) and future directions in the field. *Current assessment data, numerous new and revised measures, and cutting-edge screening approaches.

From leading clinical researchers, this volume presents important recent advances in understanding and treating autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in very young children. The book is grounded in cutting-edge findings on the social-communication behavior of typically and atypically developing infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The contributors highlight the connections between ASD and specific early social-communication impairments - including problems with joint attention, imitation, and play - with a focus on what clinicians can do to help. Innovative screening and assessment procedures are reviewed, as are evidence-based intervention and prevention strategies. Throughout, attention to both real-world practice and research considerations enhances the book's utility as a clinical reference and text.

Synthesizing an explosion of recent research, this book presents dramatic advances in understanding and treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in very young children. Leading authorities describe the innovative tools and methods that are enabling clinicians to more effectively identify 0- to 5-year-olds with the disorder and those at risk for related problems. Chapters discuss the early core symptoms and co-occurring characteristics of ASD, the best diagnostic instruments, and lessons learned from large-scale screening and surveillance, including sibling studies. The book reviews evidence-based interventions and explores practical issues in treatment of young children and their families.

Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders is the first in a series aimed at addressing the rapidly expanding field of assessment and treatment of children with mental health issues and/or development disabilities. Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders is aimed at the researcher of practitioner who works with those young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In addition to covering major research developments in differential diagnosis and early intervention, the author's provide a critical review and analysis of core concept that define this area. The first chapter of the book reviews the development of definitions of autism along with early methods for diagnosing this area of developmental disabilities. Chapter two covers some of the most discussed theories of etiology along with a review of prevalence and the author's opinions on why the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder has increased markedly in recent years. A chapter on the most commonly used assessment methods and a critique of the psychometric properties of each is followed by three chapters on treatment. We have broken the treatment chapters down based on type of intervention. The first treatment chapter covers specific target behaviors or small sets of behaviors. A second chapter covers training for the packaged comprehensive treatment models with particular emphasis on the TEACCH, UCLA-YAP and the University of California Santa Barbara Autism Research and Training Program. Each of these programs gives a unique perspective on treatment for these young children. The final treatment chapter covers the recent developments in pharmacotherapy for autism spectrum disorder, with a critical analysis and review of the data. We hope the overview presented proves to be of interest to researchers and practitioners in the field. We present one perspective on this exciting and innovative area of research and treatment. Hopefully, it will serve as one useful source to those who wish to provide the most up to date evidence based intervention to these young developmentally challenged children. The first of a new series that is intended to expand knowledge of the assessment and treatment of children with developmental disabilities and/or mental health issues Provides definitions, addresses diagnosis, intervention, and treatments Of particular importance to researchers and practitioners who work with children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The Second Edition of this handbook provides significantly updated and expanded content and coverage, including new chapters on the changing epidemiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), measurement and assessment of problem behaviors, value-based care for ASD, conceptual foundations of evidence-based practices, the use of technology, and functional behavior assessment in ASD treatment. This unique volume addresses basic questions in salient detail, from epidemiology and diagnosis to guiding treatment decisions. In addition, it examines treatment delivery systems and new technologies to support individuals with ASD. Key areas of coverage include: History of the evolving diagnostic criteria for ASD. Early screening and diagnostic measures and practices. Ethics and economics of early intervention. Detailed descriptions of evidence-based practices in treating the behavioral deficits and excesses associated withASD. Interdisciplinary collaboration to address co-occurring conditions and treat the whole patient. Caregiver collaboration to foster treatment integrity and consistency to improve outcomes. The Second Edition of the Handbook of Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders is a must-have comprehensive reference for researchers, professors, and graduate students as well as clinicians and other scientist-practitioners in clinical child, developmental, and school psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry, social work, public health, pediatric medicine, rehabilitation, and special education.