title: Brief report: use of interactive television in identifying autism in young children: methodology and preliminary data.
abstract: Children living in rural and underserved areas experience decreased access to health care services and are often diagnosed with autism at a later age compared to those living in urban or suburban areas. This study examines the utility and validity of an ASD assessment protocol conducted via video conferencing (VC). Participants (n = 17) included families with young children (2.5-6 years) requesting an evaluation for ASD in an interdisciplinary clinic. We randomly assigned families to complete an additional evaluation either in-person or via VC prior to their clinic appointment and compared diagnostic impressions to their interdisciplinary clinic evaluation. Results demonstrate excellent inter-rater agreement on diagnoses between clinicians in the VC setting and the interdisciplinary team, which suggests VC may be a viable method to increase access to autism diagnostic services, and ultimately early intervention, for families in rural and underserved areas.
authors.affiliation: Center for Child Health and Development, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mailstop 4003, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
authors.forename: R Matthew
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.forename: T Rene
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Jamison
authors.forename: Matt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: Maura
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wendland
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hadorn
authors.forename: Eve-Lynn
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prather
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*