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Journal article
Navigating the Challenges: A Commentary on Barriers to Autism Screening in Childcare Centers
Behavioral sciences, v 16(1), 79
05 Jan 2026
PMID: 41595020
Featured in Collection : Research Supported by Drexel Libraries' OA Programs
Abstract
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has long recommended universal autism-specific screening at well-child pediatric visits, implementation challenges in primary care settings interfere with high-fidelity universal autism screening. These challenges delay autism identification for some children, leading to delays in needed services and supports. Prior findings indicate that new solutions must be developed to bridge the gap in access to autism screening for families, particularly among those who are under-resourced. One approach is expanding screening to other community settings, such as childcare centers, but there are barriers to this approach, which this commentary aims to address. We discuss challenges and barriers in childcare screening identified through our recently completed pilot study screening for autism in childcare centers, with suggested strategies to address them. These challenges include hesitation among childcare staff to guide conversations or concerns about autism, and stigma around autism diagnosis and presentation. Other challenges relate to emerging concerns regarding legal, ethical, and professional roles and responsibilities surrounding informed consent and data privacy, as well as the identification of children without timely follow-up evaluation and services. There is a need for increasing public awareness as an essential component of autism screening across settings. Our commentary discusses different considerations and practice strategies to meet these needs.
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Details
- Title
- Navigating the Challenges: A Commentary on Barriers to Autism Screening in Childcare Centers
- Creators
- Andrea T Wieckowski (Corresponding Author) - Drexel University, A.J. Drexel Autism InstituteGeorgina M Perez Liz - Drexel University, A.J. Drexel Autism InstituteElizabeth McGhee Hassrick - Drexel University, SociologyEmmanuel F Koku - Drexel University, Africana StudiesErika Frick - Drexel University, A.J. Drexel Autism InstituteAutumn AustinDiana Robins - Drexel University, Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology)
- Publication Details
- Behavioral sciences, v 16(1), 79
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Number of pages
- 12
- Grant note
- Research reported in this publication was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R21HD108892. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); Sociology; Urban Health Collaborative; Africana Studies; A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001672279800001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105028771598
- Other Identifier
- 991022148305704721
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- Psychology, Multidisciplinary