To establish the prevalence of autism in the West Virginia's child population a triangulated data generation and analysis methodology was employed. Special Education Student school records were the first data source. Employing an extensive data abstraction process adopted from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s study of autism prevalence in Atlanta, the Special Education Student school records in 6 counties were examined. This abstraction process required access to all age-relevant special education school student school records in the six identified counties. With autism added as a disability category to The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1990 (IDEA, Title 42, U.S.C. 12101), the number of such diagnosed children by state and age receiving IDEA services must be annually identified and reported to congress. This resulting data base of children in the United States identified by common IDEA definition of autism provided the second source of data for this prevalence study. Since only children receiving IDEA services are included in this data base, it is an insufficient stand alone data source. Finally, the Autism Training Center at Marshall University has established a data base on all persons in the state with autism spectrum disorder who have contacted the center. While client-based, the only eligibility criteria for access to the Autism Training Center is that the person have one of the spectrum disorders. In the absence of a state registry with the spectrum disorders as mandatory reportable diseases, this database was the third source of data.
Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session all participants will be able to: 1. Identify the importance of pediatric autism prevalence research. 2. Identify sources of prevalence data regarding pediatric autism. 3. Replicate a triangulated approach to data collection and analysis regarding pediatric autism. Teaching Objectives: During this session, faculty will: 1. Discuss recent research focusing on the prevalence of pediatric autism. 2. Provide training on how to design and conduct a triangulated research design to study the prevalenceofpediatric autism
Keywords: Children With Special Needs, Epidemiology
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Autism Training Center, Marshall University
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.