Improving Efficiency and Quality of the Children's ASD Diagnostic Pathway: Lessons Learned from Practice
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Date
2017-11-30Author
Rutherford, Marion
Burns, Morag
Gray, Duncan
Bremner, Lynne
Clegg, Sarah
Russell, Lucy
Smith, Charlie
O'Hare, Anne
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Rutherford, M., Burns, M., Gray, D., Bremner, L., Clegg, S., Russell, L., Smith, C. & O''Hare, A. (2017) Improving Efficiency and Quality of the Children's ASD Diagnostic Pathway: Lessons Learned from Practice. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48, pp. 1579-1595.
Abstract
The 'autism diagnosis crisis' and long waiting times for assessment are as yet unresolved, leading to undue stress and limiting
access to effective support. There is therefore a significant need for evidence to support practitioners in the development of
efficient services, delivering acceptable waiting times and effectively meeting guideline standards. This study reports statistically
significant reductions in waiting times for autism diagnostic assessment following a children's health service improvement
programme. The average wait between referral and first appointment reduced from 14.2 to 10.4 weeks (t(21) = 4.3,
p < 0.05) and between referral and diagnosis shared, reduced from 270 to 122.5 days, (t(20) = 5.5, p < 0.05). The proportion
of girls identified increased from 5.6 to 2.7:1. Methods reported include: local improvement action planning; evidence based
pathways; systematic clinical data gathering and a training plan. This is a highly significant finding for many health services
wrestling with the challenges of demand and capacity for autism diagnosis and assessment.