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Nearer collaboration between baby well being companies and specialist care has resulted in quicker assist for younger youngsters with autism. Printed in Frontiers in Pediatrics, a research from the College of Gothenburg reveals that, on common, youngsters are identified one yr earlier.
Right now, when younger youngsters present indicators of autism or different neurodevelopmental issues, akin to difficulties with social communication or repetitive behaviors, it may take a very long time earlier than they’re assessed and obtain the precise assist.
In recent times, the specialist baby and adolescent drugs division at Angered Hospital in Gothenburg has examined a brand new strategy that brings collectively baby well being companies, specialist care, and the municipality, together with preschool.
The initiative has seen pediatric nurses obtain coaching in figuring out early indicators of autism, in addition to the introduction of a construction whereby youngsters suspected of getting autism obtain instant assist from baby well being companies and a referral for evaluation by a specialist.
Fast entry to interventions
This analysis reveals that the initiative has delivered constructive outcomes. Households have acquired assist sooner, and the common age at which youngsters are identified with autism has fallen from a median of three years and eight months to 2 years and 7 months.
“The earlier we can identify children with autism, the better we can support them. We see that families get help sooner without having to wait several years for an assessment,” says Emilia Carlsson, senior lecturer in speech and language pathology at Sahlgrenska Academy on the College of Gothenburg and a researcher on the Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre.
Angered, the place the strategy is being examined, is a metropolis district in northeast Gothenburg the place many households have an immigrant background and well being care has beforehand had problem with outreach. The collaboration developed inside the undertaking is now properly established and stays in place.
Coaching and sources
The research reveals that improved collaboration between completely different elements of the well being care system could make a significant distinction for kids and oldsters. The mannequin may be launched in different areas, though it requires coaching for well being care employees and the required sources to offer assist as quickly as autism is suspected—not solely after ready a very long time for each evaluation and intervention.
“Greater knowledge among health care staff and effective collaboration enable us to better help families immediately, giving them the support they need,” says Gudrun Nygren, pediatrician and baby and adolescent psychiatrist, in addition to a researcher on the Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, College of Gothenburg, and co-author of the research.
Extra data:
Gudrun Nygren et al, Bridging gaps in healthcare: baby well being companies and specialist care collaboration for younger youngsters with autism and coexisting circumstances, Frontiers in Pediatrics (2025). DOI: 10.3389/fped.2025.1501650
Supplied by
College of Gothenburg
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Sooner autism prognosis: Improved collaboration ends in youngsters being identified a yr earlier (2025, March 18)
retrieved 19 March 2025
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