How Feasible Is Screening for Autism in Practice?

In a busy practice, 80% of eligible toddlers were screened at either a well child or sick visit.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends routine screening for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in toddlers. Investigators examined the feasibility of ASD screening for all toddlers (age range, 14 to 31 months) during a 6-month period in a busy community pediatric practice in Utah. Parents completed autism screening questionnaires (the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers and the Infant–Toddler Checklist) with the assistance of office staff at well child and sick visits. Families of children with positive screenings were interviewed by telephone and invited for an in-person extensive evaluation performed free of charge by an autism expert.

Of 990 eligible toddlers, 80% were screened and 192 (24%) had positive screenings. Of these, 47…

Reviewing Author

Howard Bauchner, MD

Disclosures

Grant / research supportHuman Resources and Services Administration; NIH; NIH-NHLBI; USDA; GlaxoSmithKline

Editorial boardsArchives of Disease in Childhood (Editor-in-Chief)

Howard Bauchner, MD

Disclosures

Grant / research supportHuman Resources and Services Administration; NIH; NIH-NHLBI; USDA; GlaxoSmithKline

Editorial boardsArchives of Disease in Childhood (Editor-in-Chief)