Improving Early Autism Screening
Dr. Casey Burrows, an assistant professor in pediatrics and a clinical psychologist at the University of Minnesota Medical School, is at the forefront of research to enhance the early identification of autism-related concerns in females and underserved populations.
A recent review emphasized strategies for enhancing early screening in females, emphasizing clinician training. According to Dr. Burrows, whose insights were featured in the review, "This topic is so important because screening is really the first step in identifying concerns and getting children on a path toward the support they might need."
Dr. Burrows highlighted a significant gap in existing screening tools, particularly in their effectiveness in identifying autism in females and children of color. While acknowledging the importance of clinician training, Dr. Burrows also emphasized that it represents only part of the solution. Â
“We're using autism screening tools that were developed over 20 years ago. We've learned a lot about early autism predictors and presentation in that time, but we're still stuck using outdated tools,” says Dr. Burrows.
Societal stigma and a lack of provider training contribute to the disparities faced by autistic females in accessing early screening and intervention. Dr. Burrows highlights the misconception that autism mainly affects males, leading to the underrecognition of symptoms in females. She emphasizes the need for clinicians to recognize the diverse presentations of autism, especially in females who may show different behavioral patterns than males.
Dr. Burrows’s research focuses on developing new screening tools that go beyond traditional yes-or-no questions. By employing new psychometric techniques and comprehensive questionnaires, she hopes to provide a more accurate assessment of autism risk that is tailored to individual needs. Moreover, her studies explore the sex differences in autism, aiming to improve screening accuracy.
“We know that autism is more likely to be diagnosed late in females. So, much of what we know about autism is not the full picture. It's just comparing kids who have already received a diagnosis. I wanted to think about novel ways that we could understand sex differences in autism and get beyond just autism or not. Because there's a lot more variability in autism and across other conditions as well,” Dr. Burrows explains.
Looking ahead to the future of autism screening and intervention, Dr. Burrows emphasizes the importance of improving both screening tools and clinician training. She envisions a future where early screening is more accurate and inclusive, leading to interventions tailored to each individual's unique strengths and challenges.
Through research and advocacy, Dr. Burrows strives towards a future where everyone, regardless of gender or background, receives the support and resources they need to thrive.
View more of Dr. Burrows's work: