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

Maureen S. Durkin, Mayada Elsabbagh, Josephine Barbaro, Melissa Gladstone, Francesca Happe, Rosa A. Hoekstra, Li Ching Lee, Alexia Rattazzi, Jennifer Stapel-Wax, Wendy L. Stone, Helen Tager-Flusberg, Audrey Thurm, Mark Tomlinson, Andy Shih

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

80 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)473-476
Number of pages4
JournalAutism Research
Volume8
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2015

Keywords

  • Diagnosis
  • Early detection
  • Epidemiology
  • Intervention

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Genetics(clinical)

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