Exploring the Barriers and Possible Improvements for Routine Screening of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Pediatric Primary Care

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Last Modified
  • February 26, 2019
Creator
  • Aswad, Anthony
    • Affiliation: School of Education
Abstract
  • Background: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the routine screening of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in pediatric primary care at the 18- and 24- month well child visit. Literature reveals that the ASD screening practices of pediatric primary care providers is often noncompliant with this recommendation. Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand the barriers to ASD screening in pediatric primary care that may prevent pediatric primary care providers from screening as recommended by the AAP. Methodology: A literature review of 23 peer-viewed research studies was conducted to identify themes in current literature regarding screening for ASD in pediatric primary care. Barriers and proposed implementations were identified to inform the field of ASD identification and management in pediatric primary care. Results: The literature review revealed that there exists two domains of barriers inhibiting the routine screening for ASD in pediatric primary care. The first set of barriers concerns the logistics and procedures of screening for ASD in primary care. Barriers resulting from system-wide procedural barriers such as access to early intervention services is also included in this set of barriers. The second set of barriers are those that result from pediatric primary care providers’ education, attitudes, and efficacy regarding ASD screening and management. Identified improvements to ASD screening address both of these domains of barriers. Conclusions: The routine screening of ASD in pediatric primary care is inhibited by an array of barriers originating from various components of ASD screening. Although these barriers exist, literature has revealed interventions that may help to integrate routine ASD screening in pediatric primary care.
Date of publication
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DOI
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Rights statement
  • In Copyright
Advisor
  • Evarrs, Sandra
Degree
  • Bachelor of Arts
Academic concentration
  • Education
Honors level
  • Honors
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Graduation year
  • 2018
Language
  • English

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