title: Management of assessments and diagnoses for children with autism spectrum disorders: the Western Australian model.
abstract: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are severe developmental conditions that require specialised intervention and lifelong support. Recent increases in ASD prevalence have prompted new initiatives in Western Australia to improve the consistency of assessments and to more accurately monitor diagnostic trends within the population. WA has implemented statewide guidelines for the assessment of ASDs, has developed an open forum for clinicians to discuss issues relating to the assessment process, and supports a statewide register of newly diagnosed cases. These initiatives have led to improved consistency across assessments, allowed analysis of diagnoses over time, and promoted cohesiveness among autism assessors. These strategies potentially provide an alternative model for other states and territories that wish to strengthen and assimilate ASD assessments.
authors.affiliation: Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, and Child and Adolescent Health Service, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, WA, Australia. emma.glasson@health.wa.gov.au
authors.forename: Emma J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Glasson
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: MacDermott
authors.forename: Glenys
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: Hugh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chauvel
authors.forename: Alana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maley-Berg
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wray
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D014904:Western Australia