Training and Sustaining: Training and Learning Collaborative Outcomes Across a Statewide Network for Early Autism...

Area of Science:

• Developmental Pediatrics
• Primary Care Medicine
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnostics

Background:

• Access to timely autism evaluations is a significant challenge for young children.
• Primary care professionals (PCPs) are well-positioned to improve early autism detection.
• Existing training models for autism diagnosis in PCPs require further development and evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development of a novel training model for PCPs to diagnose autism.
• To evaluate PCP training outcomes, including diagnostic competency and sustained engagement.
• To assess the feasibility of a longitudinal learning collaborative for autism diagnostics.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Accelerating the Diagnosis of Autism with Primary care Training (ADAPT) program, incorporating didactic, case-based, and coaching components.
• Training focused on children aged 14–48 months, adhering to competency-based medical education standards.
• Post-training participation in a monthly longitudinal learning collaborative.

Main Results:

• Thirteen PCPs achieved independent competency in autism evaluation after completing ADAPT.
• Significant improvements in autism knowledge (p = 0.02) and diagnostic competency were observed.
• Clinicians progressed from 'Advanced Beginner' to 'Competent Performer' ratings by expert diagnosticians.
• PCPs maintained engagement, attending 57% of monthly learning collaborative sessions.

Conclusions:

• The ADAPT model effectively trains PCPs to achieve independent competency in autism evaluation.
• PCP training offers a promising strategy to address autism diagnosis access and waitlist issues.
• Further effectiveness-implementation studies are necessary to ensure the scalability and sustainability of this training approach.