Identifying Atypical Development: A Role of Day-Care Workers?

Identifying Atypical Development: A Role of Day-Care Workers? J Autism Dev Disord. 2019 May 29;: Authors: Zhang D, Krieber-Tomantschger I, Poustka L, Roeyers H, Sigafoos J, Bölte S, Marschik PB, Einspieler C Abstract Identifying the early signs of developmental disability is important for ensuring timely diagnosis and early intervention. Day-care workers may be in a prime position to notice potential developmental deviations, but it is unclear if they can accurately recognize subtle early signs of atypical development. Sixty day-care workers examined home-videos of very young children with fragile X syndrome and typically developing children. Results indicated that most day-care workers can distinguish typical and atypical development in general and might therefore have an important role in early identification. Special work experience and advanced pedagogical training appeared to boost day-care workers' sensitivity to detect atypical features in early development and to provide effective daily surveillance. PMID: 31144232 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: J Autism Dev Disord Source Type: research