REAL-START Risk Evaluation of Autism in Latinos (Screening Tools and Referral Training)

February 11, 2015

The Oregon Health and Science University, Oregon Pediatric Society and Oregon Pediatric Improvement Partnership have partnered to launch a new research project called REAL START (Risk Evaluation of Autism in Latinos -Screening Tools and Referral Training). The goal of this project is to help primary care practices that serve many Latino patients to implement developmental screening in a sustainable and culturally-appropriate way.

Studies show that Latino children experience high rates of delayed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis and treatment. As primary care providers are in frequent contact with families during early childhood, delays in ASD care for Latinos may relate to providers' practice patterns and views about autism identification. To address these barriers, this project will develop a training and quality improvement program for primary care providers. The program consists of in-person training session for the entire clinic about conducting general developmental and autism screening and referral in the practice, three webinars to help with implementation, and access to a practice facilitator to help with problems that arise. The investigators will deliver the training to community providers in Oregon and assess whether the training improves rates of autism screening and Early Intervention referral. The study is specifically designed to help pediatric and family medicine practices serving low-income, bilingual Latino families. The investigators plan to make all training materials publicly available at the project's end.