790 likes | 978 Views
Update of Autism Evaluation, Treatment, and Research Zachary Warren, PhD , Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders Vanderbilt University. Acknowledgements. VKC / TRIAD Jeremy Veenstra-Vander Weele Vanderbilt EPC Team
E N D
Update of Autism Evaluation, Treatment, and ResearchZachary Warren, PhD,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders Vanderbilt University
Acknowledgements VKC / TRIAD Jeremy Veenstra-Vander Weele Vanderbilt EPC Team Melissa McPheeters Nila Sathe Vanderbilt LEND Terri Urbano & Tyler Reimschisel Financial Disclosure: AHRQ, Autism Speaks, HRSA, MARI, MCHB, NIMH, NICHD, NSF, Simons Foundation
Outline Background and current context of ASD Brief history – the disorders and intervention Presentation of systematic review Early Intensive Intervention Medical treatments Complementary and alternative approaches What do we do for the children with ASD that we serve?
Defining:Autism Spectrum Disorders 1943 – Leo Kanner – Infantile autism 1944 – Hans Asperger 1960s – Separation from schizophrenia 1970s – Biology / genetic underpinnings 1980 – DSM-III – Pervasive Developmental Disorders 1987 – DSM-III-R - Autistic Disorder / PDD-NOS 1994 – DSM-IV – Asperger’s Disorder
Our Context:What once was rare… Old estimate for autism: ~ 1/2500 (1985) Recent estimates for autism: ~ 1/500 (1995) Newest estimates for ASD: 1/150 (CDC, 2007) 1/110 (CDC, 2009) 1/91 (NSCH, 2009) What will it be in 2012?
Does this child have autism? Develop ranking for all children according to likelihood of an ASD diagnosis: #1 (likely has autism) to #7 (no way s/he has autism) NO TIES ITS ORDINAL RANKING Assign an ASD “present” or “absent” diagnosis for each child
Origins of the disorder(s) Neurodevelopmental disorder: Core neurogenetic vulnerabilities Complex environmental X neurogenetic interactions? Evidence: Maleness (3:1 to 4:1) Familial loading/risk Monozygotic twins: 60-95% Sibling inheritance: 12-25% (18.7) Population level: around 1%
A behaviorally based diagnosis Diagnosis is based on a pattern of symptoms in 3 domains: social impairments language/communication impairments restricted activities and interests Symptom expression is variable across children and over time
DSM-IV Pervasive Developmental Disorders a = one of these features must be presentb = at least 2 of these features must be present
Towards DSM-V Distinctions can be difficult both within the spectrum and across other disorders Autistic D/O Asperger’s PDD-NOS Autism Spectrum Disorder
DSM-V Deficits in social communication (all 3): Nonverbal and verbal communication deficits Lack of social reciprocity Failure to develop peer relationships Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interest, and activities (2) Stereotyped motor or verbal behavior; unusual sensory behavior Excessive adherence to routines and ritualized bhx Restricted, fixated interests Symptoms present in early childhood (manifest when social demands exceed capabilities)
Why are numbers increasing: The addition of regions of diagnosis? Atypical behaviors/interests Social Reciprocity Autism Asperger’s PDD Language/Communication
Why are numbers increasing: Broadening spectrum? Constantino, JAACAP, 2003
New diagnostic measures Autism Diagnostic Interview (1989, 1994) Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (1989, 2000) Screening tools/algorithms/instruments in wide use: MCHAT / AAP guidelines SCQ SRS Why are numbers increasing: Better tools?
Diagnostic changes Categories Broadening Better tools and identification process Awareness Mental health providers, pediatricians, schools Media, parents Other factors: Previousunderestimates Methodology for obtaining epidemiological data What else??? Why are numbers increasing: Lots of reasons?
Developmental Impact of Intervention:Prevention of Cascading Effects?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmental surveillance at every well-child visit and developmental screening using formal, validated tools at 9-, 18-, and 24- or 30-month visits or whenever a parent or provider concern is expressed Reprinted from Pediatrics, 2006; 117:404-419.
In addition, autism-specific screenings are recommended at the 18- and 24-month visits Reprinted from Pediatrics, 2006; 117:404-419.
What happens after a positive screens? Ideally: Referred for evaluation of specialized team Accessibility: Resources not present Availability: Long waits (e.g., 6 - 12 months) Ideally: Appropriately intensive specialized services are rapidly initiated regardless of diagnostic status Reality: Positive screens lead can lead to long waits for diagnosis and intensive service delivery
Components of ‘Gold Standard’ Assessment Medical assessment Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R) Structured clinical interview 90-180 minutes Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) Semi-structured interaction 45 minutes / 15 minutes scoring Developmental assessment Cognitive/IQ Language Adaptive behavior
Autism Symptoms:Assessment Framework • Negative symptoms • absenceof expected behaviors • relative to developmental norms • Positive symptoms • presence of unusual behaviors • due to nature, intensity, interference • with family activities
Autism Symptoms:Assessment Framework • Negative symptoms • Social behaviors • Communication • Positive symptoms • Atypical body, sensory, play behavior
Social behavior is notall-or-nothing • Social behaviors are not completely absent • Children with autism do show social behaviors • (e.g., eye contact, imitation, attachment) • Social behaviors occur less consistently • across people and settings (e.g., at different • times, requiring greater effort)
Social Behavior Concerns Less responsiveness to social overtures Less participation in back-and-forth play Less “showing off” for attention Less imitation of the actions of others Less interest in other children Less functional play, doll play, imaginative play
Communication is not all-or-nothing Autism as a disorder of social communication Communication vs. Language vs. Speech Young children communicate for many reasons: To request things they want To protest about events that displease them To share their enjoyment with adults To direct adult’s attention to objects or events of interest
Communication Vulnerabilities Less sharing enjoyment with adults Less directing adult attention to interests Differences in use of gestures and gaze Differences in terms of social communicative responses (e.g., name press, response to joint attention) Delayed language
Limits of available tools • Broad-based screeners • CBCL, BASC • Level 1 Screening (Developmental risk vs. no) Young children: MCHAT, CHAT, PDDST School aged children: CAST • Level 2 (ASD vs. other developmental concerns) • ABC, ASDS, ASSQ, GARS/GADS, SCQ • Diagnostic Instruments: • ADOS, ADI-R, CARS / CARS-2 • Limits of parent report: categorical and likert ratings • How do tools work for younger children • Are these instruments sufficient for diagnostic consultation?
The Challenge Reduce waits between screening concerns and diagnosis/service delivery Meet time demands / restrictions Accurately identify children with/out ASD Link children with appropriate early intervention services Be adequately reimbursed Create a framework for performing ASD diagnostic consultations in specialty and potentially community pediatric practices that can:
Characteristics of STAT Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT) Designed as a Stage 2 screening tool (for referral populations) Consists of 12 play-based items assessing key social-communicative behaviors Takes about 15-20 minutes to administer Designed for children between 24 & 36 months Data / modifications for above and below Simple scoring system Published psychometric data
Agreement 14 out of the 19 children (74%), initially classified ASD • 1 of 2 (50%) non-ASD received an independent diagnosis of ASD • Overall 15 out of 21 cases (71%); provider range 57-100%. • Disagreements • Other delays clearly evident • Diagnostic certainty lower
Initial thoughts regarding potential impact • 2008: 85,000 live birth @ 1/150 = 567 • Even this has changed • Impact of 20 trained physicians in state • 1 assessment per week: 1040 • 1 assessment every other week: 470 • Population level impact? • Expedited entry into TEIS services • Reduced waits at specialty clinics for children in need of this service. • Long-term public health impact? • Serious concerns about false positives as well as under-identification
Replication and Practice Change • 27 providers • 20 Pediatricians, 3 PNPs, 3 DBPs, 1 Neurologist • M = 16 years of experience (SD=11.5, Range 2-36) • 5 regional trainings in state • 8-EAST , 13 -MID, 5 - WEST • 3.5 years
Replication and Practice Change • Confirmation sample • STAT certification • Provisions for diagnostic ambiguity • Independent evaluation • Assessment of practice change (1.61 years later)
Confirmation Sample 6 of 8 providers from mid-TN • 14 of 16 referred children independently evaluated • 13 boys, 1 girl • M = 31.71 months; Range = 24 to 42 months Agreement: 85.7% - forced model (6/7 ASD & 6/7 non-ASD) 92.9% - non-forced model
Practice Change - Training • 10 of 13 providers participated in validation • Embedded fidelity and implementation • Diagnostic support • 51.9% (14/27) total completion of fidelity/training • 4 additional STAT certified providers Regional differences: • 85.7% Mid • 40% West • 0% East
Practice Change - Survey • Clinically and statistically significant shifts (1 to 5): • Comfort discussing ASD • 2.59 to 4.24 • Appropriate for child to receive diagnosis from PCP • 2.35 to 4.24 • No provider provided a final rating below 3 • Diagnostic practice • 60% increase in diagnosis under 3 • Pre to last year of practice (4.29 to 7.5). • Several providers routinely performing • Hospital settings • Mega-practices
Should we do this? • Who does this work for? • Providers • Families • Does it facilitate/expedite services? • Concerns • Misclassification • Family stress • Education/engagement • Should we be talking about “risk”
The Importance of Effective Early Diagnosis and Treatment:A public health perspective Earlier diagnosis = More intervention opportunities More opportunities = Optimal intervention benefit Core features: social communication / atypical behaviors Cognitive and adaptive functioning Fully integrated classroom placements Potentially promoting optimal adaptive independence Potentially reducing considerable lifetime cost and service system demands associated with ASD and related care
Costs of ASD • Most quoted total lifetime costs = $3.2 million (Ganz, 2007) • Hard to know if assumptions hold / included costs • Recent estimates of annual incremental costs (see Amendah et al., 2011) • $2,100 – $11,200 medical expenditures • $13,000 educational costs • $40,000-$60,000 intensive behavioral tx • $60,000-$128,000 residential costs for adults w/ASD • Productivity loss, overall lifetime costs, quantification of impact of early intervention programs
Science in Context Partners Friends Providers Pediatrician Noticing & Developing Concerns Discussing Concerns with Others Accurate Diagnosis Social Media Autism Speaks DAN AAP TV Google Blogosphere CDC
Why Are We Doing This?Our fundamental assumption… Accurate early identification of a specific common neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood should help us connect to specific intervention and treatment options that optimize functioning for children and families
Treatments and Therapies78,300,000 results (0.08 seconds) Auditory Integration Sensory Integration ABA Discrete Trial Training Lovaas/UCLA Intervention Early Start Denver Model Holding Therapy Dolphin Assisted Therapy Facilitated Communication Augmentative Communication Vision Therapy Vitamins Oxygen treatments Psychopharmacological treatments Floortime Music Therapy Social Skills Training Incidental Teaching TEACCH PECS Pivotal Response Therapy Son-Rise RDI Chelation Diets Drugs Supplements
Historical Perspective Not far removed from an “untreatable” era Rutter (1970): <2% functioning “normally” 60% requiring institutional placement/support Lovaas (1987): UCLA Young Autism Project Intensive ABA = 9 / 19 (47%) “recovered” or “normal fx” A breakthrough with major concerns
Which treatments work for specific children? Autism treatments vary widely: Scope, Focus, Intensity, Duration, Methodology Packages and combinations Children with ASD vary widely Core features Associated characteristics - IQ / challenging behavior Additional behavioral characteristics and medical vulnerabilities Families, communities, systems of care Different causes – different disorders Rapid discovery of CNVs What do we want to know?
AHRQ Systematic Reviews • Topic proposed to AHRQ • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services • Autism Speaks • Refined developed through discussions with key informants, TEP, public comment, review • Employed comprehensive search strategy • Extracted data and assessed study quality
Key Questions 48 • KQ1. Clinical outcome: What are the the short- and long-term effects of available behavioral, medical, allied health, or CAM treatment approaches? • Core features • Associated characteristics • KQ2. Modifiers: What are the modifiers of outcome for different treatments or approaches? • KQ3. Early Response to Treatment: Are there any identifiable changes early in the treatment phase that predict treatment outcomes? • KQ4. Functional Outcomes: What is the evidence that effects measured at the end of the treatment phase predict long-term functional outcomes?
Key Questions 49 KQ5. Generalization: What is the evidence that specific intervention effects measured in the treatment context generalize to other contexts? KQ6. What Drives Treatment: What evidence supports specific components of treatment as driving outcomes, either within a single treatment or across treatments? KQ7. Earliest Intervention: What evidence supports the use of a specific treatment approach in children under the age of two who are at high risk of developing autism based upon behavioral, medical, or genetic risk factors?
Methods 50 • MEDLINE®, ERIC and PsycInfo®, reference lists • Included studies • January 2000 – May 2010 • DSM-IV-TR, ADOS, ADI • n>30 medical / n> 10 behavioral • Dual review of abstracts • Extracted clinical data to standardized forms • Two reviewers quality assessed each study • Studies rated as good, fair, or poor • Overall strength of evidence assessed using EPC Methods Guide for Effectiveness and Comparative Effectiveness Reviews • Strength of evidence presented as insufficient, low, moderate, or high