This document discusses a proposed study to introduce a national autism screening program for toddlers aged 21-24 months in New Zealand. The study would screen 50,000 toddlers over 12 months using a two-stage screening process conducted by trained Plunket nurses. Results would be analyzed to determine the number of children diagnosed with autism and related to other factors like gender. The implications are that early diagnosis leads to better outcomes for children and families. The research aims to determine if such a screening program should be implemented nationally.

1. Autism screening in new Zealand By Kateshe Clark Autism – Therapies.com, 2008

2. Why was this topic chosen? I have a personal interest in this field as I have an autistic child The prevalence of autism has increased There is no formal screening programme in New Zealand Autistics traits are recognisable around 18 months of age iStockphoto, 2011

3. How did you choose your research question? There have been no studies conducted in New Zealand The New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guidelines has contradictory literature Children can be diagnosed before the age of three Gospel Jackal

4. Research Question? Should a national screening programme be introduced in New Zealand to diagnose autism in toddlers between the age of 21-24 months? Laura Shumaker

5. Research Design and Methods A quantitative design was adopted Non-experimental correlational study Cross-sectional design (21-24 month olds) This study aims at screening 50,000 toddlers over a 12 month period Consecutive non-probability sampling to allow all of the target population to be screened

6. Cont. Utilisation of Plunket Adopting a two stage screening programme Trained Plunket nurses to conduct the questionnaire to allow for consistency and reliability Ethical considerations NZ Child Restraints, 2010

7. Data Analysis Multivariate – looking at comparative/ correlational relationships with other studies The number of children receiving a diagnosis of autism will be analysed but will also include other confounding variables such as gender, race and triad of impairments as these variables may have statistical relevance MANOVA will be utilised as there is more than one variable being looked at in this study

8. What implications of this study are likely to contribute to professional practice? Based on results from overseas studies, it is likely that there will be an increase in 21-24 month olds in New Zealand receiving a diagnosis of autism (Baird et al, 2000; Dietz et al., 2006; Oosterling et al., 2010). The earlier the diagnosis, the better the outcome for the child and family (Baird et al., 2000; Dietz et al., 2006; Ministry of Health, 2008).

9. Questions? Thank you for your attention Mobsterboss Radio, 2010

10. References Autism –Therapies.com [ Photograph]. 2008. Retrieved February 06, 2011, from http://autism-therapies.com/ Baird, G., Charman, T., Baron-Cohen, S., Cox, A., Sweetman, J., Wheelwright, S., & Drew, A. (2000). A screening instrument for autism at 18 months of age: A 6-year follow up study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry,39(6), 694-702. doi:10.1097/00004583-200006000-00007 Baird, G., Simonoff, E., Pickles, A., Chandler, S., Loucas, T., Meldrum, D., & Charman, T. (2006). Prevalence of disorders of the autism spectrum in a population cohort of children in South Thames: The special needs and autism project (SNAP). Lancet,368, 210-215. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69041-7 Dietz, C., Swinkels, S., van Daalen, E., van Engeland, H., & Buitelaar, J. K. (2006). Screening for autistic spectrum disorder in children aged 14-15 months. II: population screening with the early screening of autistic traits questionnaire (ESAT). Design and general findings. Journal of Autism and Development Disorders,36, 713-722. doi:10.1007/s10803-006-0114-1 Gossip Jackal. [Photograph]. Retrieved February 09, 2011, from http://www.gossipjackal.com/entertainment/2010/07/20/identifying-autism-through-voice/ iStockphoto [Photograph] . 2011. Retrieved February 09, 2011from http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-5735314-business-graph.php Laura Shumaker. Retrieved February 09, 2011, from http://nz.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTf2y0hVJNnhoAXg3.Zgx./SIG=11v130jvr/EXP=1297282612/**http%3a//www.laurashumaker.com/%3fpage_id=420 Ministry of Health (2008). New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder guideline. Retrieved 09 December 2010, from http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/nz-asd-guideline-apr08 Mobsterboss Radio [Photograph]. 2010. Retrieved February 09, 2011, from http://www.mobsterbossradio.com/who.html NZ Child Restraints [Logo]. 2010. Retrieved February 09, 2011, from http://www.childrestraints.co.nz/hirecarseat.php Oosterling, I. J., Wensing, M., Swinkels, S. H., Jan van derGaag, R., Visser, J. C., Woudenberg, T., Minderaa, R., Steenhuis, M. P., Buitelaar, J. K. (2010). Advancing early detection of autism spectrum disorder by applying an integrated two-stage screening approach. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry,51(3), 250-258. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2009.02150 Plunket. (2010). Annual report 2010. Retrieved 14 January, 2011, from http://www.plunket.org.nz/uploads/file/Annual%20Report/Plunket%20Annual%20Report%202010.pdf Polit. D.F., & Beck. C. T. (2010). Nursing Research: Appraising evidence for nursing practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.