Transitioning to Telemedicine During COVID-19: Impact on Perceptions and Use of Telemedicine Procedures for the Diagnosis of Autism in Toddlers

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of telemedicine as an avenue to address the need for diagnostic clarification in young children at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although preliminary research has supported the use of telemedicine for identifying ASD in toddlers, little is known about the experiences of practitioners attempting direct-to-home tele-assessment. We surveyed diagnostic providers regarding changes in practice behavior in the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic and their perceptions of ASD tele-assessment. We also examined the use of the TELE-ASD-PEDS, a novel tool for ASD tele-assessment, in response to COVID-19 at seven sites across the country. Results support the clinical acceptability and diagnostic utility of ASD tele-assessment while also highlighting critical avenues of future investigation.
Funding Information
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R21MH118539)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (U54 HD08321)
  • National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (5UL1TR002243-03)

This publication has 36 references indexed in Scilit: