Caregiver Perspectives on the Use of Tele-Assessment for Toddlers with Developmental Concerns.
Chandni Parikh, Rachel Ni, Devon Gangi and 5 others
PMID 40956400WHAT IT FOUND
Caregivers were highly satisfied with remote diagnostic assessments for toddlers, regardless of the result.
Even families who received unexpected diagnoses reported similar satisfaction to those whose concerns were confirmed. Remote assessments appear acceptable and feasible for community screening.
Key findings
01Over 85% of caregivers in all outcome groups rated their satisfaction with the tele-assessment process and feedback as 'very true'.
02Caregivers whose child received an ASD diagnosis were significantly less likely to feel like valued partners or understand results compared to other groups, though still highly satisfied overall.
03Satisfaction did not differ significantly between families whose diagnostic outcome matched their prior concerns and those whose outcome did not.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study only included families with internet access and devices, excluding those with the greatest barriers to care (the 'digital divide' could not be fully assessed). The pre- and post-visit questionnaires were added halfway through the longitudinal study, so data was missing for many original participants. The survey used forced-choice Likert scales without open-ended options, potentially missing nuanced reasons for dissatisfaction. Perspectives were captured immediately before and after the visit, so long-term satisfaction or changes in perception over time were not measured. The sample was recruited from the general community, not a clinical population, which may affect the generalizability to families already seeking help.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The study was supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that high overall satisfaction means the process was equally effective for all groups. Families receiving an ASD diagnosis were significantly less likely to feel like valued partners or understand the results compared to other groups, suggesting a need for tailored support in these specific cases.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →