System of Care for Early Intervention for Autism

2010

1. Need Approximately 10,000 children under age 5 years in Florida have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), based on recent estimates of the prevalence of autism. Approximately 80% of these 10,000 children will present with symptoms before age 3 years old. Although we know that early intervention improves outcomes for children with ASD, Florida has limited data on which of these children are currently receiving appropriate services by age 3 years. National data suggests an average age of diagnosis at age 5 years, for example, and clinicians and families in Florida frequently report late diagnosis and even later intervention. Even among professionals, there is little awareness of how Florida?s system for early identification, assessment, and intervention is supposed to work. Most importantly, there is no mechanism for improving the performance of Florida?s system of care. 2. Overall goals and objectives A. Define Florida?s system of care (screening, assessment, treatment) for young children with autism. B. Develop measures for each component of the system of care. C. Identify impediments and challenges to early intervention for children with ASDs. D. Provide solutions (increased awareness, training, systems change) as necessary to improve the system of care. E. Improve outcomes for young children with an autism spectrum disorder. 3. Unusual features Florida has a large and diverse population, critical shortages in well-trained professionals, and severe economic challenges. Despite these competing interests, there is widespread consensus to improve the system of care for early identification and treatment of ASDs. In the past 2 years, Governor Crist appointed a Task Force on Autism that has focused on Florida?s system of care for young children with ASD; Florida?s Part C/Early Intervention program is investigating ways to improve early intervention for ASDs; and Florida?s Children?s Cabinet has highlighted developmental screening as a critical statewide need. National movements such as the CDC?s Act Early/Learn the Signs and the Combating Autism Act have stimulated action in our state, including the formation of a State Team to improve early identification and treatment of ASDs. 4. Expected benefits This project has implications beyond Florida and beyond autism. Our work for children with an ASD will likely also improve the system of care for all children with developmental disabilities. More generally, if we are successful in our state, we will have one model for other regions and states to consider following.

autism; system of care; early intervention; quality improvemenet; screening

Training Trainees, Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information

Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Health-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Cultural Diversity, Other - Leadership

Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Specific Groups

Single-County, Mulit-County, State, Regional, National

N/A