Increasing Capacity for Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis

Studying and reducing the systemic disparities in diagnosis of ASD in Wisconsin

Full Project Name:Battling the Bottleneck: Increasing Capacity for ASD Diagnosis Within Primary Health Care Across WisconsinPrimary Community Organization:Marquette UniversityPrimary Academic Partner:Kathleen A. Koth, DO, DFAACAP, Psychiatry and Behavioral MedicineAward Amount:$504,117

Award Date

July2021

Project Duration:42 months

Project Summary:

The late diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can have lifelong impacts. Across Wisconsin significant racial and geographic disparities exist in the timely diagnosis of ASD, with racial and ethnic minorities and those living in underserved areas diagnosed more infrequently and years later than children living in suburban areas or white children.

Through this award, project partners aim to study the systems creating barriers to ASD diagnosis in Wisconsin and train primary care professionals in ASD diagnosis and family navigation.

Community partners: Mental Health America of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Coalition for Children's Mental Health, Next Step Clinic, MCW Child Psychiatry Consultation Program, Vanderbilt University

Project Updates:

Implemented first Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers (STAT) training program for practitioners at Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, Gerald L Ignace Indian Health Center, and with Bad River reservation trainees
Recruited Family Navigators to facilitate knowledge sharing among participants
Disseminated project efforts and findings through multiple presentations at the local, national, and international level