Background: While an estimated one in 160 children globally suffers from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and 15% of children in the United States have Developmental Delays (DD), only half of pediatricians report the use of appropriate screening tools during Well Child Checks (WCC). Because referring patients to Early Intervention (EI) has a significant effect on patient outcomes, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has formulated general guidelines regarding screening for DD and ASD during WCC to improve timely diagnosis and appropriate referral. Evidence-based Practice Framework: The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (JHNEBP) Model is an approach to a clinical practice rooted in problem-solving. This model utilizes a three-step process called PET-practice question, evidence, and translation; to ensure that the most recent research and evidence are incorporated into patient care in a timely and efficient manner. This EBP model, in combination with Imogene King’s Interacting Systems Framework and Theory of Goal Attainment, serves as a guide for this project. Methods: This project aims to determine the effectiveness of implementing screenings for DD and ASD during WCCs. Outcome measures include utilizing the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3 to screen for DD at 9, 18, and 30-month WCCs, and the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers-Revised (MCHAT-R) to screen for ASD at 18- and 24-month WCCs. This intervention’s effectiveness will be evaluated by identifying the number of formal screenings performed at the recommended WCCs during the month of implementation, compared to those completed during the month prior to implementation. Findings and Results: The project’s implementation resulted in a 70.0% increased rate of DD and ASD screening. A McNemar’s chi-square test determined that the use of the ASQ-3 and MCHAT-R screening tools significantly increased rates of screening based on an alpha value of <0.05. In addition to improved screening rates, Post-Implementation positive result rates demonstrated a 9.8% increase compared to pre-intervention positive results. Conclusion and Recommendations: The implementation of the ASQ-3 at 9-, 18-, and 30-month WCC and the MCHAT-R and 18- and 24-month WCC had a statistically significant impact on the number of patients screening utilizing a formal DD and/or ASD screening tool. Following this intervention, the number of positive screenings increased by 9.8% but did not result in an incfreased rate of referral. By increasing the rate of formal screening tool use during WCC, this project brought Season’s Pediatrics in alignment with the current guidelines for the detection of DD and ASD recently outlined by the AAP. This early detection is crucial to ensure that infants and toddlers with DD or ASD are diagnosed and referred promptly to improve their expected outcomes, quality of life, and overall potential. Recommendations for future practice include and online approach to ASQ-3 screening. Future recommendations for research/projects include rates of screening based on ethnicity/race, language barriers, and referral to EI.
