Structured Abstract

Contents

• [Preface]
• Peer Reviewers
• 1. Introduction
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Previous U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation
• 2. Methods
  • Scope and Purpose
  • Key Questions and Analytic Framework
  • Data Sources and Searches
  • Study Selection
  • Quality Assessment and Data Extraction
  • Data Synthesis and Analysis
  • Expert Review and Public Comment
  • USPSTF Involvement
• 3. Results
  • Literature Search
  • Results of Included Studies
• 4. Discussion
  • Summary of Evidence
  • Review of Contextual Issues
  • Limitations of the Review
  • Future Research Needs
  • Conclusion
• References
• Appendix A Search Strategies
• Appendix B Screening and Quality/Risk of Bias Assessment Forms
• Appendix C Evidence Table for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies
• Appendix D Quality/Risk of Bias of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies
• Appendix E Excluded Studies
• Appendix F Adaptive Behavior and ASD Severity Outcomes Reported in Early Intervention Studies

Acknowledgements: The authors gratefully acknowledge the following individuals for their contributions to this project: Dr. Evelyn Whitlock, Ms. Tracy Biel, Dr. Mary Louise Lindegren, Ms. Sanura Latham, Ms. Rebecca Jerome, and Ms. Jessica Kimber. We also thank AHRQ Officers Elizabeth Kato, MD, MRP, Karen Lee, MD, MPH, Tess Miller, DrPH, and Tracy Wolff, MD, MPH, and current and former members of the USPSTF who contributed to topic deliberations.

Prepared for: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services¹. Contract No. 290-2012-00015-I. Prepared by: Vanderbilt Evidence-based Practice Center²

Suggested citation:

McPheeters ML, Weitlauf AS, Vehorn A, Taylor C, Sathe NA, Krishnaswami S, Fonnesbeck C, Warren ZE . Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children: A Systematic Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Evidence Synthesis No. 129. AHRQ Publication No. 13-05185-EF-1. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2016.

This report is based on research conducted by the Vanderbilt Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) under contract to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Rockville, MD (Contract No. 290-2012-00015-I). The findings and conclusions in this document are those of the authors, who are responsible for its contents, and do not necessarily represent the views of AHRQ. Therefore, no statement in this report should be construed as an official position of AHRQ or of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The information in this report is intended to help health care decisionmakers—patients and clinicians, health system leaders, and policymakers, among others—make well-informed decisions and thereby improve the quality of health care services. This report is not intended to be a substitute for the application of clinical judgment. Anyone who makes decisions concerning the provision of clinical care should consider this report in the same way as any medical reference and in conjunction with all other pertinent information (i.e., in the context of available resources and circumstances presented by individual patients).

This report may be used, in whole or in part, as the basis for development of clinical practice guidelines and other quality enhancement tools, or as a basis for reimbursement and coverage policies. AHRQ or U.S. Department of Health and Human Services endorsement of such derivative products may not be stated or implied.

None of the investigators has any affiliations or financial involvement that conflicts with the material presented in this report.

1

5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857; www​.ahrq.gov

2

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN