Novel telemedicine observations in preschool autism diagnostic pathway
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Children's Autism Technology-Enabled Assessments (CHATA). Development of novel telemedicine observations for preschool autism diagnostic pathways.
IRAS ID
366918
Contact name
Hilary L M Toulmin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
North East London NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
There are currently very long waiting lists for autism assessment. We know that some families, such as those from under-served or culturally and linguistically diverse populations, experience additional barriers to accessing autism assessments and that this results in delays to identification and support for these children. We are developing autism diagnostic pathways for pre-school children which are both equitable and more efficient, inclusive of under-served families and which reduce waiting times and improve allocation of resources.
This study will recruit from a culturally and linguistically diverse population of North East London and evaluate the use of a schedule of tasks and activities completed by the parent with their child in their own home which will be recorded and watched remotely. We will compare the observations made by an autism diagnostic paediatrician with those made by an assistant psychologist who has received specific training in typical and atypical development in young children, to determine whether they can be made reliably by the less experienced autism pathway team member. It is hoped that improving the quality of the referral information available to the autism team will enable them to match resources needed for the diagnostic appointment with the complexity of the presentation.
Children aged 3 or below, waiting for an autism assessment in the NHS Barking and Dagenham autism pathway will be eligible to take part. Parent/carer and child will be in their home and will participate in a 30 minute session with activities guided remotely by an autism pathway assistant psychologist. A sample of parents/carers who have taken part will be approached to be interviewed on-line or in person at the child health clinic to help us to understand their experience of taking part and to improve the administration and content of the observations.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/PR/0414
Date of REC Opinion
27 Apr 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion