Early Diagnostic Response Model (EDRM)

Launched by EMORY UNIVERSITY · Jun 10, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Early Diagnostic Response Model (EDRM) trial is designed to improve how we diagnose autism spectrum disorder (autism) in young children. This study is being conducted at the Emory Autism Center and involves families with children aged 16 to 30 months who have received a specific score on a screening tool called the M-CHAT-R. If your child has been referred by a Babies Can't Wait (BCW) provider from one of the participating districts and meets the eligibility criteria, you could be part of this important research.

As a participant, you and your child will undergo evaluation for autism, with assessments completed by the time your child is 36 months old. The goal of this study is to test a new way of diagnosing children who are identified as being at high risk for autism and to see how well this approach works. It's important to note that families must have internet access and some basic English skills to participate. This trial aims to ensure that more children can receive timely and accurate autism diagnoses, which can lead to earlier intervention and support.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • All families of children between the ages of 16-30 months of age who scored ≥8 on the MCHAT-R and whose BCW provider refers the child to our clinic by 33 months of age will be a possible participant. Evaluations will be done by 36 months of age.
• • Referring BCW provider must be one of the participating BCW health districts in this pilot study.
• • Parent/Guardian needs to have basic English proficiency
• • Parent/Guardian needs to have internet access
• • Child must have exposure to English either at home or in out-of-home care (e.g., childcare setting).
• • Documentation of M-CHAT-R High-Risk failed score (≥ 8) must be documented in referral.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Families making self-referrals to the EAC or referrals outside of the targeted BCW districts will be excluded from recruitment for this study.
• • Children above the age of 33 months at the time of the referral will be excluded as the current EDRM protocol has not been developed in this phase of piloting for individuals over this age.
• • Non-English speakers will be excluded from participation due to the current protocol not being applicable to their needs as well as a high correlation between verbal language abilities and social communication and social interaction (SCI) abilities as part of the DSM-5-TR autism criteria.