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The purpose of this study was to identify current practices in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening among early intervention and care providers in Indiana. Participants were asked about their ASD screening practices within the context of overall screening for developmental delays. Results indicated that providers conduct ASD screening less often than developmental screening, do not use formal screening tools when doing so, and feel unprepared to talk with families about concerns related to ASD. Providers reported that they feel inadequately prepared to perform ASD screening and are eager to receive training. Results will assist in identifying training needs of early intervention and care providers.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rapid acceleration of innovative research on health services delivery, including real-world clinical implementation and evaluation of tele-assessment for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Extending this promising work, the present study examined clinical characteristics and diagnostic outcome for young children receiving autism spectrum disorder tele-assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The standard tele-assessment procedure included caregiver clinical interview, administration of the TELE-ASD-PEDS (TAP; a novel caregiver-mediated remote autism spectrum disorder observational assessment tool), Vineland-3, and diagnostic feedback and family counseling. Overall, our findings suggest that a definitive autism spectrum disorder diagnosis can be determined for most young children evaluated using standard tele-assessment procedures. While TAP scores and measures of adaptive functioning and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition autism spectrum disorder symptoms are highly associated with autism spectrum disorder diagnostic outcome, a specific pattern of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors independently predicted differential autism spectrum disorder outcome. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the TAP is useful for evaluation of at-risk children above 36 months of age with delayed language. These results add to an increasing body of research supporting use of tele-assessment, and specifically the TAP, for diagnosis of young children referred for autism spectrum disorder evaluation. The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has traditionally been made through in-person evaluation. While the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted access to ASD services, there has been remarkable growth in research focused on novel ASD diagnostic practices, including the use of telemedicine. We implemented a standard ASD tele-assessment evaluation procedure, including use of a novel remote clinician-coached, caregiver-delivered ASD assessment tool (TELE-ASD-PEDS; TAP), with the goal of continuing to provide diagnostic services to young children and their families during the pandemic. We examined the relationship between child characteristics and diagnostic outcome for 335 children, ages 14–78 months, who received ASD tele-assessment conducted by psychologists and pediatricians in an outpatient clinic of a Midwestern academic medical center. We found that clinicians could make a determination about ASD diagnosis for most children (85%) evaluated using tele-assessment. Child clinical characteristics, including TAP scores and clinician ratings of ASD symptoms, were related to diagnostic outcome (i.e. diagnosis of ASD, no ASD, and Unsure about ASD). When all clinical characteristics were examined together, the presence of specific repetitive behaviors predicted ASD diagnosis. We also found that the TAP is effective for making an ASD diagnosis when used as part of comprehensive tele-assessment evaluation in children ⩾ 36 months of age with delayed language. Our study adds to an increasing body of research supporting use of tele-assessment for diagnosis of ASD. Although further research is needed, telemedicine may help families from different backgrounds and geographic locations to access high-quality diagnostic services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research which was conducted in an effort to investigate current practices in autism spectrum disorder screening among early intervention and child care providers in Indiana. Researchers asked the intervention and care providers about their autism spectrum disorder screening practices and about heir overall screening for developmental delays in young children that they worked with. They found that the providers conducted autism spectrum disorder screening less frequently than developmental screening, did not use formal screening tools and felt unprepared to talk with families about their concerns about autism spectrum disorders.

Objective. To assess the fluoride content of water used to reconstitute infant formula by a Latino population living in the Indianapolis, Indiana, area. Background. Negligible as well as excessive fluoride can be detrimental to oral health. Estimates of fluoride intake and exposure for individuals may aid in the determination of their risk for developing dental fluorosis or caries. Methods. Interviews were conducted to determine brands of bottled water used to reconstitute infant formula. Identified brands were analyzed for fluoride concentration. Results. Of the 458 samples tested (from 20 brands), fluoride concentration ranged from 0.006 to 0.740 μg/mL. All brands but one had fluoride concentration less than 0.7 μg/mL, with 16 brands having less than 0.22 μg/mL. Most bottled waters analyzed in the study comply with the American Dental Association recommendation to prevent fluorosis. Comparisons made demonstrated that only waters targeted for infants and that are fluoridated do not comply with recent American Dental Association recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives. To evaluate Indiana pediatricians' current practices related to oral health, knowledge of oral health prevention, and opinions on anticipatory guidance integration into their practices. Background. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) May 2003 policy statement on oral health risk assessment timing and establishment of a dental home has provided pediatricians with guidelines to assess patients' oral health and caries risk status. Methods. A survey of 31 questions was distributed via mail to all active Indiana pediatricians (300) registered in the Indiana State Medical Association to evaluate current practices relating to oral health prevention and guidance. Results. Of the 300 distributed surveys, 138 were returned (46%). The authors found that 15% of pediatricians recognize the AAP-recommended age for a dental home as 12 months and practice this recommendation. Among the respondents, 7% believe application of fluoride should be part of a well-child visit. The majority (89%) of respondents reported interest in obtaining further knowledge on oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive fluoride consumption during the first 2 years of life is associated with an increased risk of dental fluorosis. Estimates of fluoride intake from various sources may aid in determining a child's risk for developing fluorosis. This study sought to assess the fluoride content of commercially available foods for infants, and to guide dentists in advising parents of young children about fluoride intake, Three samples each of 20 different foods (including fruit and vegetables, as well as chicken, turkey, beef/ham, and vegetarian dinners) from 3 manufacturers were analyzed (in duplicate) for their fluoride content. Among the 360 samples tested, fluoride concentration ranged from 0.007-4.13 µg fluoride/g food. All foods tested had detectable amounts of fluoride. Chicken products had the highest mean levels of fluoride, followed by turkey products. Consuming >1 serving per day of the high fluoride concentration products in this study would place children over the recommended daily fluoride intake. Fluoride from infant foods should be taken into account when determining total daily fluoride intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]