A systematic review of technological approaches for autism spectrum disorder assessment in children: Implications for the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Screening and diagnostic assessments tools for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are important to administer during childhood to facilitate timely entry into intervention services that can promote developmental outcomes across the lifespan. However, assessment services are not always readily available to families, as they require significant time and resources. Currently, in-person screening and diagnostic assessments for ASD are limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to be a concern for situations that limit in-person contact. Thus, it is important to expand the modalities in which child assessments are provided, including the use of technology.

Aims: This systematic review aims to identify technologies that screen or assess for ASD in 0-12 year-old children, summarizing the current state of the field and suggesting future directions.

Methods: An electronic database search was conducted to gather relevant articles to synthesize for this review.

Outcomes and results: 16 studies reported use of novel technology to assess children suspected of ASD.

Conclusions and implications: Results strongly supported live-video evaluations, video observations, and online or phone methods, but there is a need for research targeting the feasibility of these methods as it applies to the stay-at-home orders required by the pandemic, and other situations that limit clients from seeing providers in-person.

Keywords: Assessment; Autism; Diagnosis; Technology; Telehealth.

Fig. 1

PRISMA flow diagram for determining study inclusion.