Improving autism detection: The role of practitioner reported influences and a combined parent-clinician informant screening instrument

Early detection of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can improve prognostic outcomes. This research examines practitioner reported factors that may impact the timing of diagnostic evaluations and progresses the development of a screening instrument. Outcomes show the potential for improvements to both the screening and diagnostic process. Results implicate a number of practitioner and systemic factors in influencing the timing of ASD diagnosis in Australia and show the potential for a combined parent-clinician informant ASD screening instrument to improve early detection. These improvements could contribute toward supporting children with ASD to access intervention and diagnostic evaluations sooner