Feasibility of an observational procedure to enhance early identification of autism spectrum disorder in paediatric settings: A mixed-methods study on an Ecuadorian sample

Identification procedures for autism spectrum disorders in paediatric settings include screening and routine clinical surveillance. Screening tools are perceived as challenging, and a preference for direct observation has been reported in Ecuadorian paediatric settings. Augmentative observational procedures could prompt the application of screening tools, increase professionals' sense of self-efficacy and support referral decision-making. Following the recommendations that identification procedures should be tested in a group of children without autism from local populations, we tested a set of observational tasks on 125 children from 12 to 59 months of age in various socio-economic settings, in semi-experimental conditions and on a group of 33 non-autistic children in a paediatric-setting condition. Results indicated that the social referencing task did not produce the expected response in most children in semi-experimental conditions. Responses to the elicitation of a gesture were significantly influenced by socio-economic status and geographic area. Three other tested tasks (response to name, eye contact, response to joint attention) produced the expected responses in semi-experimental and clinical conditions, suggesting that they could be used in daily routines if fidelity to training is ensured. We discuss the implication of those findings in clinical practice and professional education in an Ecuadorian context. Lay abstract In Ecuador, the low official estimate of the number of persons with autism spectrum disorder suggest that many children are not identified and are not receiving support. Screening tools are short parent-addressed questionnaires used to identify children that may be developing with autism. Their use is recommended, but their application can be perceived as challenging in paediatric routines. Some professionals prefer looking for autism-related behaviours in a child rather than using screening questionnaires. Although a short observation does not replace the use of validated screening questionnaires, tasks to guide the observation of autistic early signs can help professionals decide to screen or refer the family for assessment and early intervention. In this study, we tested observational tasks that could be adapted to the Ecuadorian paediatric contexts.