As Autism Rates Increase, Missouri Publishes Guidelines for Screening and Diagnosis

A year-long collaboration between professionals and parents has resulted in Missouri’s first guidelines dealing with autism. Autism Spectrum Disorders: Missouri Best Practice Guidelines for Screening, Diagnosis, and Assessment is geared toward clinicians, educators, service providers and parents and is the most current document of its kind in the U.S.

With the Centers for Disease Control reporting that autism affects one out of every 110 children in the U.S., these Guidelines provide clear, consistent recommendations designed to facilitate the critical first steps toward treatment.

“Research shows that early diagnosis and treatment results in improved quality of life for most children with autism. The Guidelines focus on getting to those interventions faster through more consistent protocols for screening, diagnosis and assessment,” explains Bill Thompson, president of the Thompson Foundation for Autism. The foundation sponsored the Missouri Autism Guidelines Initiative along with the Division of Developmental Disabilities of Missouri Department of Mental Health.

The Guidelines combine current research, clinical experience and knowledge of Missouri practice in one document. It includes case examples and a series of easily referenced best practice recommendations. Georgina Peacock, M.D., M.P.H., of the Centers for Disease Control, notes, “It is essential for all those working or living with children with ASD to have access to thorough, comprehensive information, which these Guidelines provide. Children with ASD and their families will definitely benefit from this information and thoughtful collaboration.”

“The Guidelines keep the child and the family at the center of every step toward intervention,” says Bernard Simons, director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities. “The Guidelines respect and value the role of families in effective care and recognize that every person with autism is different and requires individualized supports, services and intervention. Community collaboration is key – that means clinicians, educators and service providers working hand in hand with families.”

Marilyn Cox, Cape Girardeau, Mo., is the parent of a son diagnosed with ASD in the mid 1980s. She served on the Missouri Autism Guidelines Initiative, a group of 42 professionals and parents. “I have seen much progress in the diagnosis of autism. However, this document in the hands of parents can serve as a road map for seeing the red flags, seeking diagnosis and being directed to expedient treatment. It is a fact that early intervention is the answer to the most effective treatment.”

The Guidelines can be downloaded at no cost at www.autismguidelines.dmh.mo.gov.