Community introduction of practice parameters for autistic spectrum disorders: advancing early recognition.

OBJECTIVES: Within a strong interdisciplinary framework, improvement in the quality of care for children with autistic spectrum disorders through a 2 year implementation program of Practice Parameters, aimed principally at improving early detection and intervention. METHOD: We developed Practice Par...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 249 - 263
Autores principales: Holzer L, Mihailescu R, Rodrigues-Degaeff C, Junier L, Muller-Nix C, Halfon O, Ansermet F
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Springer Nature Apr2006
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:OBJECTIVES: Within a strong interdisciplinary framework, improvement in the quality of care for children with autistic spectrum disorders through a 2 year implementation program of Practice Parameters, aimed principally at improving early detection and intervention. METHOD: We developed Practice Parameters (PPs) for Pervasive Developmental Disorders and circulated the PPs to all child and adolescent psychiatrists practicing in the region. RESULTS: PP development and parallel information strategies resulted in a significant decrease of 1.5 years in the mean-age-at-diagnosis. However, further analysis indicated that improvement was only transient. CONCLUSION: Despite the encouraging improvement in mean-age-at-diagnosis 2 years after PP implementation, other indicators showed a failure to maintain the improvements. A systematic screening program would be the most reliable method to reinforce the PPs.