Utilization of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook in Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Abstract

There is relatively little information about prospectively reported developmental milestones from caregivers of children who go on to be diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The current study examined rates of early skill attainment in 5‐year‐old children who participated in a comprehensive in‐person assessment for NDDs in Hirosaki in Japan. Developmental milestone data were extracted from their Maternal and Child Health Handbook (MCHH), a booklet distributed to all pregnant women as part of universal health care. Seven hundred and twenty children underwent the assessment, among whom 455 received one or more NDD diagnoses (ASD: n = 124, non‐ASD NDD: n = 331). Developmental skills were organized into four domains (motor, social interaction, communication, self‐help), and the cumulative number of potential delays in each domain was calculated for each participant within three different age ranges (by 12 months, by 24 months, and by 36 months). Even by age 12 months, children with ASD/NDDs showed more potential delays across domains compared to those who received no NDD diagnosis. However, differences between those with ASD and those with non‐ASD NDDs were not apparent until 24 months for social interaction and communication, and 36 months for self‐help. These findings provide insights into specific behaviors that could be used to screen for ASD and other NDDs. In addition, the present study indicates the potential utility of the MCHH as a broadband screening tool to educate parents about what to look for in charting their child's early development. Lay Summary The present study examined prospectively charted developmental milestones from home‐based records used as part of universal health care in 720 5‐year‐old children from Hirosaki, Japan. All children participated in a comprehensive evaluation to determine if they met criteria for a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD), including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Compared to those who received no NDD diagnosis, children with NDDs exhibited higher rates of potential delays across developmental domains, including social interaction, communication, and self‐help. For some children, these delays were apparent before the age of 12 months. Differences between diagnostic groups became even more pronounced by 24 and 36 months, well before the average age of diagnosis. This suggests that home‐based records can be useful tools to educate caregivers about what to look for in charting their child's early development and could assist with early screening efforts.

Early Motor Signs in Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Compared to children without NDD diagnosis, those with NDDs showed greater rates of potential delays in developmental domains, including also the motor domain, at as early as 12 months of life or even earlier. No significant differences were found between ASD and non-ASD NDD groups concerning the motor domain [ 23 ]. Language regression is reported in about 25% of ASD children.…”

Self-Reported Maternal Parenting Stress From 9 m Is Longitudinally Associated With Child ADHD Symptoms at Age 12: Findings From a Population-Based Birth Cohort Study

“…This study shows the utility of the MCH handbook (and by extension, single-item self-report measures of parenting stress) for early identification of ADHD risk. This builds on a recent study examining the possibility of early identification of autism via developmental delay recorded in the MCH handbook ( 42 ) to encourage utilization of MCH data for early screening of mental health problems. We recommend that health professionals working with families aim to routinely capture parenting stress information, and specifically target parenting stress reduction when building family-specific support programmes.…”

Suplementação de prebióticos e probióticos em crianças autistas: revisão integrativa

“…O Transtorno do Espectro Autista (TEA) é uma síndrome que é caracterizada por alterações atípicas no sistema nervoso relacionado ao desenvolvimento, sendo designado como desordem do desenvolvimento difuso. Pacientes com TEA apresentam sintomas como: déficit de interação social, comprometimento verbal, comportamentos repetitivos e restritivos possuindo interesses limitados, podendo também apresentar, comportamento agressivo (consigo e terceiros) e estímulos sensoriais aguçados (Hirota et al, 2021).…”