Video-based screening for children with suspected autism spectrum disorder – experience during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kadam, Archana; Soni, Isha Godiwala; Kadam, Sandeep; Pandit, Anand; Patole, Sanjay
• Is Part Of: Research in autism spectrum disorders. Volume 98(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: Autism spectrum disorder -- Video-based screening -- Interim -- DSM-5 -- India; Autism spectrum disorders -- Periodicals; 616.85882005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2022.102022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-9467

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Assessments for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) must adapt to the current COVID-19 pandemic through innovation in screening and assessment strategies using technology. To our knowledge there are no such studies reported from India. We aimed to study the predictive ability of video-based screening tool with definitive diagnosis in children with ASD. Method: Thirty-nine children were screened independently by two examiners with a video-based screening tool to start intervention followed by an in-person evaluation by clinical DSM-5 diagnosis three months later. Result: Similar to studies from developed countries, videos assessments showed a 94.87% correlation with the final diagnosis. Interobserver video agreement had a kappa correlation of 0.803, which was classified as substantial agreement. Conclusion: Video-based evaluations may be used as an interim assessment to initiate early intervention in children with ASD in resource-limited setups in the current pandemic situation. Large, well-designed prospective studies are required to confirm our results. Highlights: Assessments for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) must adapt to the current COVID-19 pandemic through innovation using technology. A video-based screening tool was used to start intervention followed by an in-person evaluation by clinical DSM-5 diagnosis three months later. This video-based evaluation was done by two examiners who were blinded and was compared with the final diagnosis. Video-based evaluations may be used as an interim assessment to initiate early intervention in ASD in resource-limited setups in the pandemic.