Understanding Caregiver Satisfaction With a Telediagnostic Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Purpose: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical to understand the feasibility and acceptability of the use of telediagnostic assessments in clinical settings. This study aimed to characterize caregiver satisfaction with a telediagnostic assessment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method: Twelve families completed a telediagnostic assessment of ASD through Illinois' Early Intervention program including a caregiver interview, administration of the TELE-ASD-PEDS, and a feedback visit. Following the evaluation, caregivers rated their satisfaction with the telediagnostic assessment. Results: Caregivers reported that the evaluation met their expectations, and they were satisfied with the assessment and feedback visit. However, caregiver satisfaction with the telehealth platform varied, and the majority of caregivers reported a preference for in-person visits. Qualitative analysis of caregiver responses noted the benefits and areas of improvement of telediagnostic assessment. Thematic analysis revealed the strengths of the telediagnostic assessment, including the logistical convenience of the teleassessment, ease of administration, rapport with and expertise of the clinicians, and qualification for intervention services. Although caregivers' perspectives varied, diagnostic accuracy and the amount of information provided about the diagnosis were reported areas of improvement. Conclusions: Overall, telediagnostic assessments were well received by families. Caregivers' preference for in-person visits highlights the need to incorporate caregiver-reported areas of improvement in the development and administration of telediagnostic assessments.

A Randomized Trial of the Accuracy of Novel Telehealth Instruments for the Assessment of Autism in Toddlers

“…Analysis of clinician-reported data both within (Wagner et al, 2020 ) and external to our institution (Wagner et al, 2022 ) indicated that clinicians were able to make definitive diagnostic decisions via tele-assessment for a majority of children with a high degree of diagnostic certainty. Additional external studies of tele-assessment using the TAP highlighted caregiver satisfaction with tele-assessment procedures, including logistical convenience, positive interactions with clinicians, and satisfaction with diagnostic feedback and recommendations (Jones, 2022 ; Stavropoulos et al, 2022 ). However, the rapid roll-out of the TAP in response to the urgent need for telemedicine tools preceded controlled investigation of the TAP in comparison to traditional, in-person assessment.…”