A Model Research Roadmap
A diagram illustrates how each stage of screening research helps maintain progress towards improved diagnosis.
An Integrated Network
Relationships between services, training, policy, and advocacy reveals a unique role for research
Stages of Research
Each stage of research has a difference influence on the integrated network and on better outcomes
The CHAT+ Pilot Study
Applying the roadmap to 25 years of research invoving all versions of the CHecklist for Autism in Toddlers
Milestones
What distinguishes implementation and clinical research? Different participants, measures, and designs.
Resources Required
Each stage of research requires different training, funding models, partnerships, and scholarship.
Other Components
A structure that breaks progress down into manageable steps can help close persistent gaps identified via research.
Coming very soon
A Model Research Roadmap for ASD Screening
How each stage of research interacts with elements of an integrated network to progress towards important outcomes using specific practices
First published January 28, 2019; updated June 20, 2019
A COMPLETE RESEARCH ROADMAP
Definitions Hover to read more
ASD SCREENING using the CHAT+ will help to rapidly and accurately refer children at high risk for ASD, warranting referral for a DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT, and ultimately resulting in earlier access to specialized education and treatment
Basic Research
1st Goal: To identify distinct features of ASD that can be readily assessed
Causes Characteristics Trajectories Sub-types
1st Milestone: Specific indicators and related methods of assessment are integrated into a new screening practice for identifying very young children at high risk for ASD, as confirmed via subsequent clinical diagnosis
An OUTCOME is an important improvement in the life of someone with ASD.
A PRACTICE is a specific method or program of assessment or intervention believed to lead to the desired outcome
A Practice leading to an Outcome
Stages of research capture the different training, expertise, designs, and resources required to address different kinds of questions and milestones on the road towards achieving outcomes.
Stages of Research
Phases with each stage
Goals begin to break down the specific kinds of knowledge we must acquire through research to help achieve the outcome.
Milestones establish specific critical thresholds in the knowledge acquired to initiate the next stage of research.
Goals and Milestones
Other Elements of the Network include Training, Policy, Advocacy, and Services that together help to improve outcomes
OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE NETWORK
APPLIED RESEARCH
1. Clinical Research
2nd Goal: To develop the use of the CHAT+ to reliably identify children at high risk for ASD
1. Pilot the CHAT+
2. Demonstrate the validity and reliability of the CHAT+ in a core population
3. Adapt the CHAT+ for use in community settings
Later stage: Extend the use of the CHAT+ to other populations and settings
2nd Milestone: The use of the CHAT+ is valid and reliable, with the potential to be used effectively by community-based practitioners to accurately identify ASD within a core population.
TRAINING
2. Implementation Research
3rd Goal: To demonstrate how professionals in the community can reliably use the CHAT+ to screen for ASD across diverse populations, and on a large scale
1. Assess delivery and gaps in access to the CHAT+ in community settings
2. Demonstrate how to improve delivery and close gaps in use of the CHAT+
3. Demonstrate systematic and comprehensive use of the CHAT+ across all populations in a region
3rd Milestone: Community-based programs can be trained to systematically screen for ASD using the CHAT+ across an entire region, and across diverse settings and populations.
POLICY AND ADVOCACY
SERVICES AND SUPPORTS
OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN WITH ASD
Rapid and accurate referral for diagnosis
3. Other Applied Research
4th Goal: To demonstrate how use of the CHAT+ has been integrated into daily practice across an entire population, with a broad range of impacts
1. Track large improvements in identification resulting from use of the CHAT+ across the full range of populations and setting
2. Describe how use of the CHAT+ has been integrated into other relevant practices
3. Explore distal impacts of the use of the CHAT+ (i.e., improved identification and treatment of ASD)
4th Milestone: Community-based programs across a large region have integrated the use of the CHAT+ into their regular practice across the full-range of populations and setting, resulting in improved identification and treatment of ASD
A Model Research Roadmap
A diagram illustrates how each stage of screening research helps maintain progress towards improved diagnosis.
An Integrated Network
Relationships between services, training, policy, and advocacy reveals a unique role for research
Stages of Research
Each stage of research has a difference influence on the integrated network and on better outcomes
The CHAT+ Pilot Study
Applying the roadmap to 25 years of research invoving all versions of the CHecklist for Autism in Toddlers
Milestones
What distinguishes implementation and clinical research? Different participants, measures, and designs.
Resources Required
Each stage of research requires different training, funding models, partnerships, and scholarship.
Other Components
A structure that breaks progress down into manageable steps can help close persistent gaps identified via research.
Coming very soon
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