ABSTRACT
Early detection and treatment have been shown to be effective in reducing disability severity caused by Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). As Spanish pediatricians have no detection tool, the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) was first translated into and culturally adapted to Spanish. Validity and reliability studies were carried out in two different geographical areas of Spain, where M-CHAT was administered to two different samples, namely: 2,480 high- and low-risk children; and 2,055 low-risk children. The results obtained were similar to those yielded by the original M-CHAT studies. Differences were found in positive predictive value, due to the low ASD frequency observed in this study. M-CHAT is still being studied in a large population-based screening program in Spain.
Subject(s)
Autistic Disorder/diagnosis , Checklist , Child, Preschool , Early Diagnosis , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Mass Screening/methods , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , SpainABSTRACT
All the papers on autism published in journals by Spanish authors until 2007 were reviewed in order to identify changes and trends in studies, journals and authorship networks. A total of 567 works were analyzed. Results showed a continuous increase in the total number of publications and collaborative works (especially from 1999 onwards), as well as coincidence of the general framework of papers with the guidelines for research and treatment on autism that were published in the Anglo-Saxon arena for the same period. Some weak points were also identified, such as the low proportion of empirical and funded studies, low impact of the journals, and low author continuity, which have also been noted for other domains of research in Spain. We conclude that psychological and biomedical research on autism is currently a growing field in our country. However, important changes are needed, both in the way the authors conduct and communicate their studies, and in the commitment of some institutions (specially, universities and parent advocacy groups). Lastly, some proposals are suggested to improve the scientific quality of future studies and their usefulness for people with autism.
Subject(s)
Authorship , Autistic Disorder , Publishing/trends , Bibliometrics , Humans , SpainABSTRACT
Se revisaron todos los trabajos sobre autismo publicados en revistas por autores españoles hasta 2007 para analizar la evolución de los estudios, las revistas y las redes de coautoría en este ámbito. En total, se analizaron 567 trabajos. Se observó un incremento progresivo del total de artículos publicados y de los investigadores que trabajan en colaboración, especialmente en los últimos diez años, así como una notable coincidencia entre el enfoque general de los trabajos y las recomendaciones publicadas en el ámbito anglosajón sobre la investigación y el tratamiento del autismo para ese periodo. También se identificaron puntos débiles, como la baja proporción de trabajos empíricos y financiados, el bajo impacto de las revistas y la falta de continuidad de los autores, detectados también en otras áreas de investigación. Se concluye que los estudios psicológicos y biomédicos del autismo en España están actualmente en expansión, pero que se requerirían cambios importantes en el modo en que los autores desarrollan y comunican sus trabajos y una mayor implicación de las instituciones (especialmente, universidades y asociaciones de padres). Finalmente, se sugieren algunas propuestas para mejorar la calidad y visibilidad de los futuros estudios y su utilidad real para las personas afectadas(AU)
All the papers on autism published in journals by Spanish authors until 2007 were reviewed in order to identify changes and trends in studies, journals and authorship networks. A total of 567 works were analyzed. Results showed a continuous increase in the total number of publications and collaborative works (especially from 1999 onwards), as well as coincidence of the general framework of papers with the guidelines for research and treatment on autism that were published in the Anglo-Saxon arena for the same period. Some weak points were also identified, such as the low proportion of empirical and funded studies, low impact of the journals, and low author continuity, which have also been noted for other domains of research in Spain. We conclude that psychological and biomedical research on autism is currently a growing field in our country. However, important changes are needed, both in the way the authors conduct and communicate their studies, and in the commitment of some institutions (specially, universities and parent advocacy groups). Lastly, some proposals are suggested to improve the scientific quality of future studies and their usefulness for people with autism(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Autistic Disorder/epidemiology , Autistic Disorder/psychology , Cognitive Science/methods , Biological Psychiatry/trends , Bibliometrics , Impact Factor , Periodicals as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Spain/epidemiology , Data Collection , Cohort EffectABSTRACT
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are lifelong neurodevelopmental disabilities. Burden of Disease is an indicator that provides important information on health status and outcomes such as premature mortality and disability. In order to estimate the burden of disease of ASD in the Spanish population during 2003, we followed the procedures used in the WHO Global Burden of Disease Study. ASD generated 43,928 Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) in Spain in 2003, from which 33,797 were attributable to Autistic Disorder and 10,131 were caused by Asperger's Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified. DALY could be a useful tool for health policy makers for setting health service priorities, allocating available resources effectively and providing a comparable measure of output for early intervention.
Subject(s)
Asperger Syndrome/epidemiology , Autistic Disorder/epidemiology , Child Development Disorders, Pervasive/epidemiology , Adolescent , Asperger Syndrome/diagnosis , Asperger Syndrome/mortality , Asperger Syndrome/psychology , Autistic Disorder/diagnosis , Autistic Disorder/mortality , Autistic Disorder/psychology , Child , Child Development Disorders, Pervasive/diagnosis , Child Development Disorders, Pervasive/mortality , Child Development Disorders, Pervasive/psychology , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Disability Evaluation , Early Diagnosis , Female , Health Policy , Health Services Needs and Demand , Health Services Research , Humans , Infant , Male , Resource Allocation , SpainABSTRACT
El autismo es un trastorno grave del desarrollo de origen prenatal, que afecta a la persona durante toda su vida. Durante la pasada década numerosas investigaciones han aportado información y experiencia sobre las posibilidades de los sistemas asistencialespara detectar precozmente el autismo. Este movimiento hacia la identificación de signos de sospecha ha llevado a un reconocimiento de que hoy es posible detectar antes los casos, lo que está mejorando el pronóstico del autismo. En el artículo se revisan las ventajasde la detección precoz y la atención temprana, se exponen los signos precoces del autismo y se analizan los instrumentos de mayor interés para la detección precoz en nuestro entorno. El artículo finaliza con una exposición breve sobre el estado actual del programa de cribado en Castilla y León, concluyéndose que la coordinación interprofesional, la sensibilización y la implicación social son aspectos clave para avanzar en la detección precoz del autismo en nuestro país
Autism is a serious disorder of child growth, stemming from the pre-natal stage and enduring the whole life. During the past decade a lot of studies have provided information about how to detect autism at an early stage. There is a growing acknowledgment thattodays early detection improves autism prognosis. This paper reviews the advantages of early detection and assistance; outlines early autism signs and describes early detection tools. Finally, the paper addresses the screening schedule undertaken in Castille andLeon, concluding that coordination between professionals and social sensitization and involvement are among the key aspects to improve autism detection in our country
