ERIC Number: EJ1468765
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-May
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: EISSN-1573-3432
Available Date: 2023-04-19
Evaluating the Efficiency and Equity of Autism Diagnoses via Telehealth during COVID-19
Megan Micheletti1; Briana H. Brukilacchio2; Haley Hooper-Boyle3; Tajudeen Basiru3; Meredith I. Brinster4; Sheri Ravenscroft5; Jeffrey D. Shahidullah4
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v55 n5 p1932-1938 2025
Given existing barriers to a timely autism diagnosis, this study compares the efficiency and equity of diagnoses conducted in-person vs. telehealth in a developmental behavioral pediatrics setting. The transition to telehealth was prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eleven months of clinic data in electronic medical records were retrospectively analyzed for children diagnosed with autism in-person (N = 71) vs. telehealth (N = 45). Time to autism diagnosis, patient demographics, and deferred diagnoses did not significantly differ across visit types. However, privately insured patients and families living farther from the clinic had a longer time to diagnosis via telehealth vs. in-person. Results of this exploratory study highlight the feasibility of telehealth evaluations for autism and which families may benefit from additional support to ensure a timely diagnosis.
Descriptors: Program Evaluation, Program Effectiveness, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Clinical Diagnosis, Videoconferencing, Telecommunications, Efficiency, Pediatrics, COVID-19, Pandemics, Medical Services, Records (Forms), Children, Health Insurance, Proximity, Clinics, Outcomes of Treatment
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link-springer-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1610403
Author Affiliations: 1The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychology, Austin, USA; 2Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Lurie Center for Autism, Lexington, USA; 3Dell Children’s Medical Center, Austin, USA; 4The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School, Austin, USA; 5The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Pediatrics, Dell Medical School, Austin, USA