Screening for ‘presumptive eligibility’ for ASD services increased identification of infants and toddlers

Early identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is essential to facilitating intervention, but there are often backlogs of infants and children waiting for a diagnostic evaluation. Researchers in South Carolina found that a combination of policy changes, training, and modification of state agency practices improved detection of those who needed early intensive behavioral interventions (EIBIs), avoiding the wait for a diagnosis and missed opportunities for improvement. They found that few of the infants ended up without a diagnosis.