Project Description:
The surveillance population under the new program will include both 8‐year‐old children
with a parent residing within the study area defined by a contiguous set of school districts in
Maricopa County, Arizona and 4‐year‐old children with a parent residing within a subset
of those same school districts, at any time, during two study years, 2014 and 2016. In the
2010 census, 55,708 8‐year‐olds and 56,982 4‐year‐olds lived in the county. Educational data
sources i n 2 0 1 4 a n d 2 0 1 6 w i l l include all special education records from
designated public school districts in Maricopa County and from a private school, Autism
Academy. Clinical data sources will include Phoenix Childrens Hospital, Jordan Developmental
Pediatrics, Cardon Childrens Medical Center, and Southwest Human Development.
The purpose of this application is to demonstrate our capacity to conduct and enhance
surveillance of ASD and ID in 4 and 8‐year‐old children in the same contiguous geographic area
in which we have effectively and efficiently conducted surveillance since 2000. Extensive
education and outreach activities will be focused on dissemination of ADDM data to
stakeholders, agencies and others involved in public health policy, provision of services, and
improvements in access to screening and early intervention especially in underserved and
minority communities. ADDSP will make significant and measureable progress toward
enhancing capacity to 1) evaluate trends and disparities in ASD and ID prevalence in Arizona; 2)
evaluate the effect of changes in diagnostic criteria from DSM‐IV to DSM‐5 on prevalence
estimates; 3) develop stronger collaborations with stakeholders in the community; 4) expand
partnerships for data sharing, education and outreach; and 5) develop novel approaches to
improve the quality and efficiency of ADDM surveillance efforts, in particular record review.
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Specific Groups
