title: Evaluating interactive videoconferencing for assessing symptoms of autism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autism affects as many as 1 in 88 children. Best practices recommend early identification and intervention for optimal outcomes. Currently, a gap exists between time of first concern and diagnosis, particularly for families living in rural areas. Telemedicine as a tool for assessment and diagnosis of autism is one way to address this disparity. Emerging evidence suggests telemedicine as a viable option for assessing children with a variety of special needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study expands upon the current literature by investigating clinicians' ability to assess autism via telemedicine. Using interactive videoconferencing, we simulated autism assessment procedures with families with an existing diagnosis (autism or developmental disability) using current gold-standard assessment tools. We compared diagnostic accuracy, item-by-item reliability on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)-Module 1, and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) as well as parent satisfaction in an in-person and interactive videoconferencing condition. Ten children (3-5 years old) with developmental delays and 11 children matched on chronological age with a diagnosis of autism were assigned to be assessed and interviewed either in-person or over videoconferencing. Clinicians observed both in-person and through videoconferencing regardless of patient assignment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated no significant difference in reliability of diagnostic accuracy, ADOS observations, ratings for ADI-R parent report of symptoms, and parent satisfaction between conditions. Results indicate adequate clinician agreement and parent satisfaction regardless of observational condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future research should include a larger sample size and assess children without an existing diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: 1 Center for Child Health and Development, University of Kansas Medical Center , Kansas City, Kansas.
authors.forename: R Matthew
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jamison
authors.forename: Maura
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wendland
authors.forename: Kandace
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: Jessica Oeth
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Schuttler
authors.forename: Josh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Turek
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D049269:Videoconferencing