Improving Referrals to Preschool Special Education in Pediatric Primary Care

Area of Science:

• Pediatric primary care
• Developmental pediatrics
• Educational interventions

Background:

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends early identification and referral for developmental delays.
• Pediatric primary care providers are crucial for connecting 3-to-5-year-old children to school-based services.
• Gaps exist in the referral process from pediatric primary care to preschool special education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of an educational intervention on pediatric primary care providers' knowledge and confidence in referring children with developmental delays.
• To evaluate the effect of a streamlined referral process on referral rates to preschool special education services.

Main Methods:

• An educational program disseminating streamlined referral packets was implemented.
• Knowledge and perceived confidence were measured using pre- and post-educational assessments.
• Retrospective chart reviews compared referral rates before and after the intervention.

Main Results:

• Mean knowledge and perceived confidence scores increased significantly post-education.
• Referral rates for 3-to-5-year-olds by pediatric primary care providers doubled during the initial 8-week implementation.
• Referral rates remained consistently elevated 9 months after the intervention.

Conclusions:

• Educational dissemination of a streamlined referral process is effective in pediatric primary care.
• This approach ensures timely referrals for preschool-aged children with developmental delays.
• The intervention demonstrates a sustainable method for improving access to school-based evaluations and interventions.