Kanchana S. Boseroy
Tucson Medical Center, USA
Title: Screening for Autism spectrum disorder - The need to improve early identification and diagnosis in Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Biography
Biography: Kanchana S. Boseroy
Abstract
The term autism is in use since 1911. In the 1940s, researchers in the United States began to use “autism” to describe children with emotional or social problems. One century has passed and countries like Bolivia lack formal screening for the early identification and diagnosis of children with Autisms Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A 2012 census revealed 31.34% of Bolivian's population is 0-14 years of age and Santa Cruz as Bolivia’s largest city with an urban population of 1,441,406 people. International data reveal Bolivia ranks near the bottom among Latin American countries on health and education. The prevalence referred by the CDC is that approximately 1 in 59 children is diagnosed with ASD. Researching available peer-reviewed literature, no prevalence rate of ASD in Bolivia could be obtained. The material available was anecdotal information about collaboration with non-governmental organization building capacity to serve people with the diagnosis of ASD in other cities in Bolivia. As an initial step to improve identification and diagnosis of ASD children in Bolivia, a survey was developed to inquire in the knowledge and use of screening tools among pediatricians in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The goal is to start the use of screening tools in a formal uniform manner to improve the identification and diagnosis of ASD in children. Pediatricians from public hospitals and private practice are included in the sample and the study relates to how many patients they see and the years of practice, they have.