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. 2023 Jul;43(3):360-367.
doi: 10.1177/15394492231164943. Epub 2023 Apr 23.

Assessment Fidelity of Parents Implementing a Standardized Telehealth Infant Autism Screener

Allison Q Phillips  1 , Emily Campi  1 , Meagan R Talbott  2 , Grace T Baranek  1
Affiliations

Assessment Fidelity of Parents Implementing a Standardized Telehealth Infant Autism Screener

Allison Q Phillips et al. OTJR (Thorofare N J). 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Telehealth is effective for service delivery in pediatric occupational therapy across ages and diagnoses. Remote parent coaching provides unique benefits for both parents and infants. As a result of COVID-19, practitioners and researchers pivoted to remote assessment and intervention without much preparation or training. It is critical that we evaluate the quality of these telehealth services. One important component of remote evaluations is assessment fidelity. To examine assessment fidelity of a telehealth-delivered observational autism screening tool for infants. An assessment fidelity checklist was applied as the primary outcome measure. Parents conducted assessments with 82% adherence to the fidelity checklist. Implications: A parent coaching telehealth approach may be valid for assessment in pediatric telehealth. Continually monitoring the assessment fidelity of a tool is critical for the valid administration of remote services.

Keywords: assessment; autism; children; family-centered practice; pediatrics.

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Conflict of interest statement

There is no conflict of interest.

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