Early and Repeated Screening Detects Autism Spectrum Disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate timing and accuracy of early and repeated screening for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during well-child visits.

Study design

Using a longitudinal study design, toddlers (n = 5784) were initially screened at 12 (n = 1504), 15 (n = 1228), or 18 (n = 3052) months during well-child visits, and rescreened at 18, 24, and 36 months. Of those screened, 368 toddlers attended an ASD evaluation after a positive screen and/or a provider concern for ASD at any visit.

Results

Screens initiated at 12 months yielded an ASD diagnosis significantly earlier than at 15 months (P = .003, d = 0.99) and 18 months (P < .001, d = 0.97). Cross-group overall sensitivity of the initial screen was .715 and specificity was .959. Repeat screening improves sensitivity (82.1%),

SUBMITTER: Wieckowski AT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8238814 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature