The role of telehealth and technology in the provision of autistic care

The prevalence of Autism has increased spectacularly in recent years. Globally, cases increased from 28.3 million in 2019 to 61.8 million in 2021, an amazing increase of 118% in just two years. In the United States, where 1 in 36 children Now receives a diagnosis of autism, health systems are faced with mounting pressure to provide timely and effective care.

TV and advanced technologies are emerging as vital tools to meet this demand. From the resolution of delays in diagnostics to improve access to personalized care, these innovations help to fill critical gaps in autism services.

The delayed diagnostic crisis

“Waiting times for autistic care is a huge problem in many regions of the country,” said Dr. Doreen Samelson, chief of the clinic Catallight. “First, people make a waiting list for a diagnosis. Then they await treatment again. In some cases, this may be years between their initial concern and the start of treatment. »»

This delay can be devastating, in particular given the importance of early intervention. The variability of autism only aggravates the challenge. People with light autism who are very independent to those requiring life support, the extent of the spectrum makes it difficult to diagnose timely and precise.

Adding to complexity, behaviors associated with autism often overlap with concomitant conditions such as ADHD, gastrointestinal problems and psychiatric disorders. These layers of complexity make crucial to go beyond the surface assessments.

Change TV changing

The teleheal is only well placed to meet the challenges of delayed diagnoses and fragmented care. By allowing clinicians to observe children in their family environment, Télésanté eliminates the stress of traveling in unknown contexts while offering a clearer image of daily life.

“For families in rural areas or those faced with transport challenges, remote charts can be essential to access care,” explains Pamelson. “It allows clinicians to understand patients in context, leading to more precise diagnoses and personalized care plans.”

TV also improves emotional comfort, especially for children with sensory sensitivities or social anxiety. By organizing sessions in familiar environments, clinicians can promote a feeling of security that encourages commitment and cooperation.

Fill the knowledge gap with AI

Another promising innovation lies in artificial intelligence (AI), which has the potential to transform the way clinicians and caregivers approach autistic care.

“The generating capacities of existing AI and automation have incredible short -term potential to fill the difference in knowledge between patients and doctors,” explains Keri Schoenbrun, Director of Development at Tli.

The challenge is vast. A recent study Found more than 57,000 autism research articles were published between 2011 and 2022, an increase of 160%. For doctors juggling with various patient populations, following this expansion corpus of knowledge is almost impossible. The AI ​​offers a solution by passing through the data and connecting the points through complex diagnostic profiles.

Schoenbrun shares a convincing example: “Imagine a child who has a peak in aggressive behavior at school and recent blood analyzes showing weakness cholesterol levels. The link between these factors can be neglected, but AI can put existing research in the foreground, ensuring that conditions like this are not missed. »»

This capacity extends beyond the diagnosis. AI can also help clinicians identify and deal with concomitant conditions, allowing a more complete approach to health.

Support clinicians and caregivers

Beyond its diagnostic capacities, AI revolutionizes the daily work of clinicians. Tools such as ambient note technology allow health care providers to focus more on patients and less on administrative tasks.

“No one is going in this area to take notes,” explains Malelson. “The use of AI to perform these tasks more effectively allows clinicians to see more patients and increase access to care.”

This technology is also beneficial for neurodivergent clinicians themselves. Samelson notes that ambient tools facilitate dyslexia or ADHD to prosper more easily in their roles, promoting diversity and inclusion within the health labor.

Caregivers, often the backbone of support for neurodivergent individuals, also benefit from this progress. The platforms fueled by AI rationalize the coordination of care and provide personalized support, softening the burden of families.

“Many caregivers, including me, have left their job to manage the overwhelming coordination required to access quality health care,” shares Schoenbrun. “The AI ​​can reduce this burden, allowing families to focus on what matters most: the well-being of their loved ones.”

Approach communication barriers

For many autistic people, obstacles to communication can lead to an effective health care provision. These challenges often lead to missed diagnoses or inappropriate treatment plans.

“It may be necessary to rethink the typical office visit to ensure that patients and caregivers can use the communication techniques that work on them best,” explains Schoenbrun.

Emerging technologies help fill these shortcomings. Tools such as eye monitoring and emotional feedback systems can provide precious information on non -verbal indices, helping clinicians better understand their patients. Portable devices that monitor anxiety levels and suggest that soothing interventions are also promising to improve emotional regulation.

“Portable technology that detects increased anxiety and pushes individuals – or their caregivers – to get involved in soothing activities could considerably reduce dangerous behavior and improve general well -being,” explains MaSlson.

Complete care: a holistic approach

Like the The health system evolvesThere is an increasing recognition of the need for holistic approaches that prioritize global health alongside behavioral interventions.

“Although the ABA is one of the most common proofs for autism, a person must be healthy and comfortable in their own skin to progress in therapy,” said Schoenbrun.

This requires dealing with concomitant conditions that may have an impact on quality of life. Unfortunately, these conditions are often overlooked in the precipitation to start behavioral treatments. The connection of patients and doctors to research evaluated by peers on the management of these conditions can considerably improve the results.

The future of autistic care

The integration of technology into autism care is still in its infancy, but its potential is transformer. TV, AI and portable devices are not only tools – they are the basis of a more inclusive, reactive and efficient health system.

Schoenbrun is considering a future where AI allows a new standard of care for autistic people. “While doctors have access to better information, we will see the emergence of autism specialists who adopt a more informed and nuanced approach to treat patients,” she said.

This change will not only benefit autistic individuals, but from the entire health system. “Technology can improve care at all levels,” explains Samelson. “From the reduction of waiting times to the improvement of diagnostic precision, its impact is of large scale.”

Build inclusive systems

In order for this progress to succeed, inclusiveness must remain at the heart of innovation. By involving neurodivergent individuals and their families in the development of new tools, health systems can guarantee that the solutions are ethical, effective and fair.

“The great innovation is to apply AI to solve problems at the intersection of individualized diagnostic profiles and an increasing set of research,” explains Schoenbrun. “It’s about creating tools that work for everyone, not just the majority.”

While the landscape of health care continues to evolve, the objective is clear: to create a system that meets the needs of all individuals, whatever their unique challenges.