Implementation of a practice development model to reduce the wait for Autism Spectrum diagnosis in adults

Marion Rutherford; Kirsty Forsyth; Karen McKenzie; Aja Murray; Deborah McCarthy; Anne O'Hare; Iain McClure; Linda Irvine

doi:10.1007/s10803-018-3501-5

Implementation of a practice development model to reduce the wait for Autism Spectrum diagnosis in adults

Marion Rutherford, Kirsty Forsyth, Karen McKenzie, Aja Murray, Deborah McCarthy, Anne O'Hare, Iain McClure, Linda Irvine

Psychology Department

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

This study examined waiting times for diagnostic assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder in 11 adult services, prior to and following the implementation of a 12 month change program. Methods to support change are reported and a multi-level modelling approach determined the effect of the change program on overall wait times. Results were statistically significant (b = − 0.25, t(136) = − 2.88, p = 0.005). The average time individuals waited for diagnosis across all services reduced from 149.4 days prior to the change program and 119.5 days after it, with an average reduction of 29.9 days overall. This innovative intervention provides a promising framework for service improvement to reduce the wait for diagnostic assessment of ASD in adults across the range of spectrum presentations.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	2677-2691
Number of pages	15
Journal	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Volume	48
Issue number	8
Early online date	3 Mar 2018
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3501-5
Publication status	Published - 1 Aug 2018

Keywords

ASD
Adults
diagnostic
reducing wait times
service improvement

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Practice development modelFinal published version, 965 KBLicence: CC BY

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AU - O'Hare, Anne

AU - McClure, Iain

AU - Irvine, Linda

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AB - This study examined waiting times for diagnostic assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder in 11 adult services, prior to and following the implementation of a 12 month change program. Methods to support change are reported and a multi-level modelling approach determined the effect of the change program on overall wait times. Results were statistically significant (b = − 0.25, t(136) = − 2.88, p = 0.005). The average time individuals waited for diagnosis across all services reduced from 149.4 days prior to the change program and 119.5 days after it, with an average reduction of 29.9 days overall. This innovative intervention provides a promising framework for service improvement to reduce the wait for diagnostic assessment of ASD in adults across the range of spectrum presentations.

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Implementation of a practice development model to reduce the wait for Autism Spectrum diagnosis in adults

Abstract

Keywords

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