Theresa Saracho, PHN, Graduate Nursing Department, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840-0301, (562) 985-4473, theresa.saracho@verizon.net

INTRODUCTION: Autism is a complex neuro-developmental spectrum disorder affecting over 1.5 million Americans. The number of children with autism is soaring. One child in every 166 births will be diagnosed with Autism in California. It is the fastest growing developmental disability with an annual growth of 10-17% and a present annual cost of $40-$60 billion. Because of the alarming rates and large public, private and personal costs, autism is a social, economic and public health crisis. Autism usually appears in the first 3 years of life affecting social interaction, communication, and sensory perception. There is no known cause and no known cure. PLAN: Providers typically "eyeball" their patients, missing developmental problems a good screening tool would catch. Parents are the experts of their children and identifying problems early in childhood is critical. Training Los Angeles County Public Health Nurses (PHNs) on the use of parental-report screening tools that are reliable, valid, sensitive and specific can help increase early detection of developmental delays. Once trained, PHNs can then educate providers, empower parents, and inform communities on the importance of utilizing these tools at regularly scheduled developmental checkups. CONCLUSION: The American Academy of Pediatrics identified tools that are easy for parents to use and administer. The 10 question PEDS (Parents Evaluation of Developmental Status), Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ), and the Child Development Inventories. Trained Los Angeles County PHNs can help facilitate early detection, eliminate missed opportunities, and contribute to early intervention that equal an improved quality of life.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to

• List two out of three screening tools identified by the American Academy of Pediatrics that parents of small children can administer in helping them to identify early developmental delays.
• Apply and transfer knowledge to parents of small children on the use of two out of three developmental screening tools identified by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Identify autism and developmental disabilities as a public health crisis.
• Recognize the huge cost saving implications of early identification and early treatment interventions for developmental delays.

Keywords: Screening, Children With Special Needs

Related Web page: not applicable

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.