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Autism Spectrum Disorder Alertness in Dutch Youth and Family Center Physicians: Effects of a Live Online Educational Program.

We investigated the effect of a live online educational program in 93 Dutch Youth and Family Center (YFC) physicians who were screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the general child population. The educational program raised the physicians' level of specific ASD knowledge and it remained h...

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Published in:Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders Vol. 51; no. 10; pp. 3401 - 3412
Main Authors: van 't Hof, Maarten, van Nieuwenhuyzen, Annemyn D. Y., van Berckelaer-Onnes, Ina, Deen, Mathijs, Hoek, Hans W., Ester, Wietske A.
Format: research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Springer Nature Oct2021
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
Summary:We investigated the effect of a live online educational program in 93 Dutch Youth and Family Center (YFC) physicians who were screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the general child population. The educational program raised the physicians' level of specific ASD knowledge and it remained higher at six months follow-up (p <.01). Their self-confidence in detecting ASD was also higher and maintained at follow-up (p <.01). The educational program had no effect on the physicians' stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness nor on the number of potential ASD referrals in children of 4–6 years of age. In conclusion, the online educational program on early detection of ASD has a six month long effect on YFC physicians' level of ASD knowledge and self-confidence.