Developmental and autism screening through 2-1-1: reaching underserved families

Area of Science:

• Pediatric developmental screening
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) identification
• Public health interventions

Background:

• Developmental disorders and ASDs are increasingly prevalent, necessitating early identification and intervention.
• Primary care access for developmental and autism screening is unequal, particularly for underserved populations.
• Nontraditional screening methods are crucial to reach diverse and low-income communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of telephone-based developmental and autism screening in a diverse, low-income population.
• To evaluate the 2-1-1 Los Angeles County Developmental Screening Project (2-1-1 LA Project) as a nontraditional screening model.
• To enhance access to early identification services for at-risk children.

Main Methods:

• Review of aggregate data for 2845 children screened between September 2009 and October 2011.
• Utilized Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) for developmental delays and Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) for autism risk.
• Data analysis conducted from December 2011 to February 2012.

Main Results:

• 56% of children screened with PEDS showed moderate to high risk for developmental delays (28.2% high-risk).
• 21.2% of children screened with M-CHAT had an elevated risk for ASDs.
• Care coordination facilitated referrals for diagnostic evaluation and early intervention for 2625 children.

Conclusions:

• The telephone screening approach successfully improved access to developmental and autism screenings for a hard-to-reach population.
• Findings support the potential of nontraditional developmental screening models to enhance service uptake.
• Early identification and intervention are critical for reducing challenges associated with developmental disorders.