Healio
Healio

American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition
November 02, 2015
1 min read
Save

Web-based autism screening tool increases monthly screening rate

WASHINGTON — A web-based version of a standard autism spectrum disorder screening chart significantly increased the monthly rate of pediatric patients screened for autism at an urban center compared with the paper version, researchers reported at the 2015 AAP National Conference and Exhibition.

“As screening tools for autism spectrum disorders continue to improve and lower the age of early diagnosis, it is important to explore feasible ways to streamline ASD screening during pediatric well-child check-ups,” researcher Bianca A. Brooks, MA, of Georgia State University, told Infectious Diseases in Children. “The implementation of web-based administration of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT-R) resulted in an increase in the number of cases screened per month in an urban pediatric clinic in Atlanta, Georgia.”

Brooks and colleagues studied 3,453 toddlers (66% African-American) presenting at the clinic for 18- and 24-month well visits. Patients (n = 2,041) were screened using the paper version of the M-CHAT-R from January 2009 to January 2014. The researchers then implemented a web-based screening chart for patients (n = 511) between February and October 2014.

The monthly screening rate increased by 55.8% during the web-based chart trial. A similar portion of children screened positive for ASD, however, in both groups. The researchers noted that fewer children screened using the web version were missing follow-up questioning compared with the paper version (P < .001).

“These encouraging findings are in support of using web-based autism-specific screening as an effort in reducing disparities in the age of identification of autism in an urban setting,” Brooks said. “Continued efforts by pediatric office staff are necessary to promote successful integration of web-based screening within pediatric practices.

“Given the efficiency and opportunity for reducing age of identification of ASD, widespread implementation of web-based screening at pediatric offices is a feasible and worthwhile endeavor.” – by David Costill

Reference:
Brooks BA, et al. Abstract 31274. Presented at: AAP National Conference and Exhibition; Oct. 24-27, 2015; Washington D.C.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.