Professionals from diverse professional backgrounds
participated in training about early
detection of autism spectrum disorders. The results
showed that professionals will use an
autism screen once they are taught how to use
a screen. Practitioners reported that they were more
likely to use an autism screen if a child exhibited
developmental concerns. A major policy implication
of the study is that some pediatricians in Bermuda
do not view developmental screening or autism
screening as a part of their professional
responsibility. Unfortunately, children from birth
to 23 months are often not developmentally
screened by a pediatrician. A parent often has to
wait two or more years for their child to receive a
developmental screen by a professional. To combat
this delay in time, families with ample financial
resources will often travel to the U.S. or Canada to
obtain screening for ASD and to possibly receive a
diagnosis for their child. This creates several
problems including a drain of finances, a loss of
time, and a loss of access to early intervention.
These issues can be addressed by training
professionals to recognize the signs for ASD.
participated in training about early
detection of autism spectrum disorders. The results
showed that professionals will use an
autism screen once they are taught how to use
a screen. Practitioners reported that they were more
likely to use an autism screen if a child exhibited
developmental concerns. A major policy implication
of the study is that some pediatricians in Bermuda
do not view developmental screening or autism
screening as a part of their professional
responsibility. Unfortunately, children from birth
to 23 months are often not developmentally
screened by a pediatrician. A parent often has to
wait two or more years for their child to receive a
developmental screen by a professional. To combat
this delay in time, families with ample financial
resources will often travel to the U.S. or Canada to
obtain screening for ASD and to possibly receive a
diagnosis for their child. This creates several
problems including a drain of finances, a loss of
time, and a loss of access to early intervention.
These issues can be addressed by training
professionals to recognize the signs for ASD.