Autism Measure for Contextual Information in Early Years Settings V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Designing and piloting a tool for identifying children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in early years settings.
IRAS ID
211083
Contact name
Lynne Bremner
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Margaret University
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) is relatively common affecting 1 in 100 children. ASD impacts on a child’s ability to participate in everyday life due to impairments in their social communication and behaviour. Delayed recognition of ASD can delay appropriate early intervention and increase distress in families.
Secure diagnosis of this sometimes complex condition needs contextual information, that is information about how a child participates in their everyday life. For young children, instruments exist to gather contextual information. However, these instruments do not perform well enough to identify those with ASD and can only be used as an information gathering tool. Often clinicians have to visit early years settings to gather further information.A measure that more accurately identifies children with ASD in early years settings would reduce the need for a clinician to visit the early years setting. This may contribute to a more timely diagnosis.
To develop this measure, firstly information that is already known about the behaviours which are most indicative of ASD in pre-school children will be gathered. The current research will be reviewed. In addition, the instruments currently used will be analysed to see which items work best in early years settings.
Secondly, new information about the most indicative signs of ASD in early years settings will be gathered through focus groups with early years workers.
Thirdly, the information from these two phases will be shared with experts in ASD in pre-school children to gain their view.Finally, based on this information a new measure will be designed. As part of current care pathway in NHS Lothian, a standardised tool is sent to the early years setting to gather contextual information. With parent's consent, the new measure will also be sent. The new measure will tested to see if it differentiates children with ASD from those without.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EE/0556
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jan 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion