Implementation of a Practice Development Model to Reduce the Wait for Autism Spectrum Diagnosis in Adults
Open accessAbstract
This study examined waiting times for diagnostic assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder in 11 adult services, prior to and following the implementation of a 12 month change program. Methods to support change are reported and a multi-level modelling approach determined the effect of the change program on overall wait times. Results were statistically significant (b = - 0.25, t(136) = - 2.88, p = 0.005). The average time individuals waited for diagnosis across all services reduced from 149.4 days prior to the change program and 119.5 days after it, with an average reduction of 29.9 days overall. This innovative intervention provides a promising framework for service improvement to reduce the wait for diagnostic assessment of ASD in adults across the range of spectrum presentations.
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Adult services highlighted lack of diagnostic services and delayed detection in adults without ID as major problems.
“Adult services highlighted lack of diagnostic services and delayed detection in adults without ID as major problems.”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Rutherford et al. (2018)
The Method’s Policy and Funding Context says that only 5 of 11 Scottish health boards with adult diagnostic services had dedicated provision for adults without intellectual disability. The Introduction identifies delayed ASD diagnosis in adults as a major challenge, but does not specifically establish delayed detection among adults without ID or say that adult services themselves highlighted these two problems. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredA 12-month intervention co-developed by Rutherford et al. (2018) and 11 adult diagnostic services reduced total duration by a mean of 29.9 days.
“A 12-month intervention co-developed by Rutherford et al. (2018) and 11 adult diagnostic services (Rutherford, McKenzie, Forsyth, et al., 2016) reduced total duration by a mean of 29.9 days.”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Rutherford et al., 2018
Twenty studies examined the pathways and processes of adult autism diagnosis from service user and provider perspectives, as well as the impact of DSM-5 criteria on diagnosis.
“Twenty studies examined the pathways and processes of adult autism diagnosis from service user (e.g. Jones et al., 2014) and provider (e.g. Rutherford et al., 2018) perspectives, as well as the impact of DSM-5 criteria on diagnosis (e.g. Wilson et al., 2013).”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Rutherford et al., 2018
Mean waiting time reduction of 29.9 days across all services.
“Mean waiting time reduction of 29.9 days across all services”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Rutherford et al. (2018)
One service achieved a 12-month reduction.
“with one service achieving a 12-month reduction.”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Rutherford et al. (2018)
A variety of potential solutions were identified to balance efficiency and quality in diagnostic processes.
“A variety of potential solutions were identified to balance efficiency and quality in diagnostic processes.”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Rutherford et al. (2018)
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- Authors
- Rutherford, M., Forsyth, K., McKenzie, K., McClure, I., Murray, A., McCartney, D., Irvine, L., & O’Hare, A.
- Affiliations
- NHS Lothian (GB)
- Queen Margaret University (GB)
- Northumbria University (GB)
- University of Cambridge (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Rutherford, Marion
- Venue
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Published
- 2018-03-03
- Volume
- 48
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 2677-2691
- ISSN
- 0162-3257 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-3432
- PMC
- PMC6061014
- OpenAlex
- W2785792438
- Cited by
- 15
- References
- 52
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 0.30
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Queen Margaret University Publications Repository (Queen Margaret University) (acceptedVersion)
- Northumbria Research Link (Northumbria University) (acceptedVersion)
- Queen Margaret University Publications Repository (Queen Margaret University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Edinburgh Research Explorer (University of Edinburgh) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- Scottish Government
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Policy Implementation Science
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, adults, diagnostic assessment, waiting time, practice development, service improvement, autism services
- MeSH terms
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adult, Female, Health Plan Implementation, Humans, Male, Mental Health Services, Time Factors, Waiting Lists, Multilevel Analysis
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