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Screening for Autism: A Review of the Current State, Ongoing Challenges, and Novel Approaches on the Horizon

Kate E Wallis1, Whitney Guthrie2

  • 1Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; PolicyLab, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Clinical Futures, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Pediatric Clinics of North America
|February 29, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Early autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening in pediatric care is crucial. Improvements are needed to ensure equitable access and timely diagnosis for all children, especially underserved populations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric primary care
  • Developmental pediatrics
  • Autism spectrum disorder research

Background:

  • Pediatric primary care settings are recommended for autism screening.
  • Current median age of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis exceeds the age of reliable identification.
  • Disparities exist in early autism recognition for minoritized racial/ethnic groups, low-income families, and non-English speaking households.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the gap between recommended autism screening and actual diagnostic age.
  • To emphasize the need for improved early autism recognition, particularly for underserved populations.
  • To discuss novel technological approaches for autism recognition while addressing equity concerns.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current practices and challenges in pediatric autism screening.
  • Discussion of emerging technologies for autism identification.
  • Analysis of equity considerations in autism screening programs.

Main Results:

  • The median age of ASD diagnosis remains higher than optimal, indicating delayed recognition.
  • Novel technologies offer potential for improved autism recognition but require careful attention to minimize bias.
  • Further research is needed on the benefits and potential harms of universal autism screening.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatricians need guidance on implementing effective and equitable autism screening programs.
  • Addressing disparities in early autism recognition is essential for improving outcomes.
  • Balancing technological innovation with equity is critical for future autism screening initiatives.

Keywords:
Artificial intelligenceAutism spectrum disorderDiagnosisEquityScreening

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