Abstract
ObjectivePreliminary screening for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is mainly performed offline in China. This method is time consuming, labor intensive, inefficient and costly. These complications limit its routine implementation in some hospitals and child health institutions, especially community health service centers. Thus, the present study explored the clinical applicability of an online screening system for ASD detection based on telemedicine technology.MethodsThe online screening system designed based on the WeChat platform and section A of the Chinese-validated version of the checklist for autism in toddlers (CHAT-23-A) and combined with an independent Research and Development (R&D) program. The sensitivity and specificity were 0.92 and 0.90, respectively, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values for all 23 items and 7 key items were 0.934 and 0.91, respectively.ResultsThe online screening system based on telemedicine technology was not limited by time, space, region, or medical resources and showed high sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic efficiency for ASD.ConclusionThe online screening system based on telemedicine technology is suitable for large-scale population ASD screening in childcare institutions.
Highlights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction and restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRBs)
A total of 50 children, aged 18–30 months, were diagnosed with ASD by two licensed and experienced child psychologists based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) [16] diagnostic criteria and standardized clinical assessments, including the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) [17]
We recruited a total of 100 children, including 50 ASD children and 50 typically developing children, aged 18–30 months
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction and restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRBs). The public’s awareness of ASD has continued to increase. Many countries have reported that the prevalence of ASD is increasing year by year, and the global prevalence rate is estimated to be ∼1– 2% [1]. Only a regional survey of ASD has been conducted in China, and a national epidemiological survey has not yet been available. A meta-analysis based on studies in China revealed that the prevalence of ASD was 39.2/10,000, which was lower than the reported rates by other countries. Another study in 2019 demonstrated 1% prevalence of autism in Jilin city in western China [4]. A recent multicenter survey conducted in China showed that the prevalence of ASD was 0.7%, but the participants were 6–12 years old, which excluded the younger populations [5]
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