Autism screening and diagnosis in low resource settings: Challenges and opportunities to enhance research and services worldwide

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Maureen S. Durkin, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Mayada Elsabbagh, McGill University; Josephine Barbaro, Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre; Melissa Gladstone, University of Liverpool; Francesca Happe, King's College London; Rosa A. Hoekstra, The Open University; Li-Ching Lee, Johns Hopkins University; Alexia Rattazzi, PANAACEA; Jennifer Stapel-Wax, Emory University; Wendy L. Stone, University of Washington; Helen Tager-Flusberg, Boston University; Audrey Thurm, National Institute of Mental Health; Mark Tomlinson, Stellenbosch University; Andy Shih, Autism Speaks
• Language: English
• Date: 2015-10-06
• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2015 The Authors Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Autism Research
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aur.1575
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Autism Research
• ISSN: 1939-3792
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 5
• Start Page: 473
• End Page: 476
• Keywords: epidemiology; diagnosis; intervention; early detection
• Research Categories: Psychology, Developmental; Psychology, Clinical; Health Sciences, Mental Health

Abstract

Most research into the epidemiology, etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of autism is based on studies in high income countries. Moreover, within high income countries, individuals of high socioeconomic status are disproportionately represented among participants in autism research. Corresponding disparities in access to autism screening, diagnosis, and treatment exist globally. One of the barriers perpetuating this imbalance is the high cost of proprietary tools for diagnosing autism and for delivering evidence‐based therapies. Another barrier is the high cost of training of professionals and para‐professionals to use the tools. Open‐source and open access models provide a way to facilitate global collaboration and training. Using these models and technologies, the autism scientific community and clinicians worldwide should be able to work more effectively and efficiently than they have to date to address the global imbalance in autism knowledge and at the same time advance our understanding of autism and our ability to deliver cost‐effective services to everyone in need. Autism Res 2015, 8: 473–476. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.