Focus Topic: Autism
Resources for Screening and Diagnosis
Checklist for Autism in Toddlers
The M-CHAT is a screening tool for early detection of autism that can be used during a child's 18-month developmental check-up. Parents answer a 22 item questionnaire on their child's development, activities and behavior. The screening tool can be found at http://depts.washington.edu/uwautism/pdf/MCHAT.doc . M-CHAT abstract and scoring key http://www.firstsigns.org/downloads/Downloads_archive/m-chat_scoring.PDF
Developmental Screening and Surveillance Algorithm
Identifying Infants and Young Children with Developmental Disorders in the Medical Home: An Algorithm for Developmental Surveillance and Screening, from the AAP, provides a decision tree to support pediatric health care professionals in addressing developmental concerns in children from birth to 3 years of age.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/118/1/405
Screening Tools
First Signs, Inc a national non-profit organization dedicated to educating parents and pediatric professionals about the early warning signs of autism and other developmental disorders. They offer tools for developmental and behavioral, Autism, and Asperger Syndrome/High Functioning Autism screening. http://www.firstsigns.org/screening/tools/rec.htm#asd_screens.
Identification and Evaluation of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Provides detailed information (including an algorithm) on signs and symptoms so physicians can recognize and assess ASDs in their patients. http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;120/5/1183
Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Educational strategies and associated therapies are reviewed in this AAP clinical report. http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;120/5/1162
Online Video for Physicians on Autism Screening
The Advanced Studies in Medicine Program at Johns Hopkins University, in collaboration with Autism Speaks, offers a video entitled Screening for Autism and the Management of Neurobehavioral Co morbidities: A Primer for General Pediatricians. The video is meant to help health professionals better understand the signs and symptoms of autism. It is not intended to be used by parents or other caregivers to diagnose autism in their own children. For more information go to http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science_news/asm_video.phpThe video can be viewed at http://www.jhasim.com/Autism/
Handouts and Resources for Families
Living with Autism
The Autism Society of America has developed in-depth handouts on a variety of topics related to living with autism. They include:
Stress on Families Religion and Autism
Home Safety Life after High School
Sibling Issues Planning for the Future
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_lwa_home
Fact Sheets on Autism Spectrum Disorders
The Learn the Signs-Act Early campaign from the CDC was designed to increase awareness of child development by educating parents and health care professionals on the importance of tracking a child’s development, including early warning signs of autism and other developmental disabilities. Fact sheets in English and Spanish are available.
- Developmental Screening –This fact sheet explains child development, screening, delay, what a developmental assessment is and how to get one.
These fact sheets and others are available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/actearly/downloads.html
Red Flags for Atypical Development
Key indicators can show that a child is at risk for atypical development, and in need of an immediate evaluation. For parents, these are the red flags that their child should be screened to ensure he or she is on the right developmental path. Red Flags from First Signs can be downloaded at: http://www.firstsigns.org/concerns/flags.htm. Red Flags was compiled from: Greenspan, S.I. (1999) Building Healthy Minds, Perseus Books; Filipek, P.A. et al. Practice Parameter: Screening and Diagnosis of Autism. Neurology 2000, 55: 468-79.
Autism Resource Guide-Washington State
Families for Effective Autism Treatment of Washington offers the 2007 Autism Resource Guide, a road map to available resources in the Puget Sound. It includes information on therapies, services, dentists, and hairstylists who are good with kids with autism. The Guide is updated every two years and is available at: http://www.featwa.org/RGOrderForm.pdf
Safety Toolkit
Autism can present a unique set of safety concerns for parents. The National Autism Association provides Keeping our Children Safe, a toolkit with safety tips on wandering, emergency preparation, prevention, emergency contacts, securing the home and tips from other parents. http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/safetytoolkit.php
Sharing Concerns with Parents
Sharing concerns about a child’s developmental delay can be very difficult. This fact sheet provides tips for physicians on sharing concerns in a sensitive and honest way. It also includes information for planning and follow-through. http://www.firstsigns.org/concerns/doc_parent.htm
Parent to Parent in Washington State
Parent to Parent programs across the state have many family support resources for families of children on the autism spectrum. Services include: matching parents with other parents based on similar diagnoses, personal support and support groups, social and recreational family events, educational workshops and presentations and more. http://www.arcwa.org/parent_to_parent.htm
Autism: Living Life and You
A support group for parents and caregivers of children who are significantly impacted by autism. This unique support group will share stories and support one another, address emotional needs and concerns and provide an opportunity to build community. Different groups will be held simultaneously, determined by the age of your child with autism.
Held the last thursday of each month (first meeting February 28, 2008), 6:30-8:30pm, at Children's Hospital in Seattle. To register or for more information contact: Anna Mulloy or Katrina Davis at ASTAR Center: 206-332-1646 or email: astar_center@msn.com.
Autism Classes
Autism 101 is a 90-minute class for parents and caregivers of children recently diagnosed with autism who wish to better understand this disorder. The course is taught by rotating faculty members from Children's Hospital and the University of Washington, along with some community professionals.
Each class includes time for questions. For more information .
Austim 200
is for parents and caregivers who wish to better understand this disorder. The lectures cover a variety of topics such as communication skills, behavioral skills, social skills, medication and legal aspects. For more information .
Video/Teleconference Autism Classes
Are you from out of the Seattle area? Children's Hospital has a video and teleconferencing outreach program that serves Aberdeen, Anacortes, Colville, Kennewick, Longview, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Tacoma, Vancouver, Wenatchee and Yakima. You can take part in the Autism series classes from one of these sites on the same date. Please contact us for more information.
Autism Reports
New CDC Autism Spectrum Disorders Data
The CDC has released new prevalence data on autism spectrum disorders in the U.S. Results show that prevalence is higher in the communities studied than previously thought. Another key finding showed that the majority of children with ASD in the areas studied had developmental concerns before age three. To see the fact sheet go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/f070208.htm.
Half of Children with Autism Can Be Diagnosed at One Year of Age
Researchers from the Kennedy Krieger Institute found that autism can be diagnosed at close to one year of age, which is the earliest the disorder has ever been diagnosed. The study evaluated social and communication development in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) from 14 to 36 months of age. Researchers identified the following signs that parents and physicians should look for:
- Abnormalities in initiating communication with others
- Compromised ability to initiate and respond to sharing experiences with others
- Irregularities when playing with toys
- Significantly reduced variety of sounds, words and gestures used to communicate
For more information go to: http://www.kennedykrieger.org/kki_news.jsp?pid=6521
Autism Education
Educating Students with ASD
An online continuing education session at Seattle Children's Hospital, presented by Ilene S. Schwartz, PhD, Sept, 2005. Content includes: structure of an effective program, how to know if programs work, questions teachers should answer and more. http://www.seattlechildrens.org/health_care_professionals/education/video_library/autism_203_education.asp
The Autism Outreach Project
A State-Needs Project through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in collaboration with the Department of Social and Health Services and Northwest ESD 189. The Autism Project
provides information, dissemination of demographic data, referrals, and training on best practices in identification and program development for students with autism spectrum disorders to Washington families, schools, and agencies. http://www.esd189.org/autism/index.html
Autism Classes & Conferences-Southwest Washington State
The ESD 112 Regional Autism Consulting Cadre is a group of concerned, interested professional educators and parents seeking to enhance their base of knowledge regarding persons with Autism.
http://www.esd112.k12.wa.us/sss/autism/classes.html
Autism Task Force Update
The Caring for Washington Individuals with Autism Task Force was created during the 2005 Legislative Session to study and make recommendations to the legislature regarding the growing incidence of autism and ways to improve the delivery and coordination of autism services in the state. Starting in January 2008, the task force will create a draft of the “Washington Service Guidelines for Individuals with Autism – Birth through Lifespan” book.
Families, providers, and all interested persons are encouraged to attend the Autism Task Force meetings and/or provide written input to the task force. Email the Autism Task Force with your input or questions at autism.support@doh.wa.gov . Visit their website for links to the full 2006 report and recommendations. http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/mch/Autism/Autism.htm
Autism and ASD Web sites
Spanish Autism Web Site
http://www.manitasporautismo.com
Manitas Por Autismo, a site created by families for families, provides information in Spanish about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). A chat room and forum area are under development.
Interactive Autism Network
http://www.ianproject.org/
The Kennedy Krieger Institute recently launched The Interactive Autism Network (IAN) which promotes autism research by linking researchers and families. Anyone impacted by an Autism Spectrum Disorder can join IAN's online community to stay informed about autism research, provide feedback, and share information.
Washington Web sites
The University of Washington Autism Center
http://depts.washington.edu/uwautism/
Provides clinical services, professional training, research, advocacy, and resources for families and professionals.
Autism Society of Washington http://www.autismsocietyofwa.org
Education materials, comprehensive statewide resources, information on parent support groups and coalitions, and the Family Educator Partnership Project (FEPP). The FEPP helps families with a child with special needs and the school districts that serve them with resources, information, and support.
Families for Effective Autism Treatment of Washington www.featwa.org.
Provides services, resources and intervention and educational programs for children with ASD.
Northwest Autism Center, Spokane WA www.nwautism.org
Provides information and support to families and health care professionals in the Inland Northwest. Offers a regional provider directory, tools for clinicians, an Autism Lending Library and more.
Autism Recovery Resources of Washington (ARROW) www.AutismRecoveryWA.org
Provide resources and information for families in Washington with a focus on the use of biomedical interventions for autism treatment.
Asperger’s Northwest http://www.aspergersnw.org
Support and information web site for families of children with Aspergers and ASD in the Seattle area. The Asperger Support Newsletter provides information on local resources including finding doctors, psychologists, lawyers, dentists, biomedical interventions, sensory integration issues, vision therapy, special education and assistance.
National Web sites
Autism Society of America http://www.autism-society.org
Provides Autism Source, a free online referral database that is searchable by location or service type. It provides resource listings throughout the U. S. including service providers, ASA Chapters, support groups, medical professionals, educational facilities, legal services, research centers, government agencies, and more.
Autism Speaks. Autism Advocacy www.autismspeaks.com
NIH Autism Research Network http://www.autismresearchnetwork.org/AN/
National Autism Association www.nationalautismassociation.org.
Includes information on their national program to
combat divorce rates in the autism community, and
on Helping Hand, their program of financial aid for
autism families.
Autism Research Institute and DAN (Defeat Autism Now) www.autism.com
ARI conducts research on the potential triggers of autism. DAN provides protocols and conferences on biomedical interventions.
Autism-Journal Articles
Elevated levels of growth-related hormones in autism and autism spectrum disorder. Clinical Endocrinology. 2007 Aug; 67(2):230-7.
Language Disorders: Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 2007 Jun; 54(3):469-81, vi.
Social and Communication Development in Toddlers with Early and Later Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Arch of General Psychiatry 2007 Jul; 64(7):853-64.
Autism Possible in at-Risk 1-Year-Olds That Don't Respond to Their Names
A prospective study of response to name in infants at risk for autism. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007 Apr;161(4):378-83
CSHCN Resources
Food Allergy Information for Schools
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, FAAN now has a limited number of free food-allergy information programs for elementary, intermediate, and high schools nationwide. These programs are available for schools in all states at http://www.foodallergy.org/school.html
2007 Kids Count Data Book
Data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2007 Kids Count Data Book are now available and can be searched in an online database that allows users to generate custom graphs, maps, ranked lists, and state-by-state profiles. http://www.kidscount.org/sld/databook.jsp
Adolescent Transition Project Bookmarks
The AHTP has English and Spanish language bookmarks that highlight their web site and information resources. http://depts.washington.edu/healthtr/
Act Early Fact Sheets-English and Spanish
The following fact sheets are available from the CDC’s Learn the Signs, Act Early campaign:
- ADHD
- Cerebral Palsy
- Intellectual Disability
- Vision Loss
- Hearing Loss
- Resource List for Disabilities
English: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/actearly/downloads.html
Spanish versions:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/actearly/downloads_hcp.html
Understanding and Talking About HIV
A Motivational Approach for Health-Care Providers of Teens and Their Parents
This guideline of care uses motivational principles as the basis for the clinician’s interactions with the teen and parent. The focus is on parent and teen understanding of HIV and issues surrounding disclosure of status. This was designed to be used as a clinic-based standard-of-care. It was developed in consultation with the HIV Team at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle, WA and families who obtain services from the team. To learn more, contact Patty Centioli at (206) 987-5735 or patty.centioli@seattlechildrens.org
Download the free materials at:
http://www.cshcn.org/resources/documents/HIVGuidelineappendix.pdf
Linkages
Produced by the Center for Children with Special Needs, a program of Children’s Hospital & Regional Medical Center, with support from the Washington State Department of Health, Children with Special Health Care Needs Program.
Linkages newsletter promotes information sharing among individuals working with children with special health care needs and their families in Washington State.
Submissions
Submit items to Beth Crispin, Editor at beth.crispin@seattlechildrens.org (206) 987-7814. Children’s Hospital & Regional Medical Center, 1100 Olive Way, Suite 500, MS:MPW 5-2, Seattle, WA 98101
www.cshcn.org
