The Pediatrics Detection & Connection Project aims to improve early ASD identification and intervention by utilizing a novel ASD screener (PDQ-1) to detect signs of autism in toddlers ages 18 – 36 months old. Positive screened children and families are then connected to a peer-support organization (Mom2Mom), who provide additional information/guidance regarding next steps and facilitate linkage to early intervention services and diagnostic evaluations.
The New Jersey Autism Study (NJAS) is an Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) monitoring system, established by researchers at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Support to the New Jersey Autism Study has been provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New Jersey Governor's Council on Autism. The New Jersey Autism Study (NJAS) autism ascertainment strategy involves active, thorough, ongoing, retrospective, cohort and region-specific, review and analysis of information contained in school and health records. Since NJAS is a public health investigation, it is implemented under waiver of informed consent. NJAS surveillance is implemented in a four county New Jersey metropolitan area (Essex Hudson, Union, Ocean Counties), a region with an annual birth population of approximately 34,000. Baseline surveillance activities by NJAS encompassed two cohorts (1992 & 1994) and showed a significantly higher prevalence of ASD in our state, in comparison to other US regions (CDC, MMWR SS 2007;56). The reasons for this higher prevalence are not understood.
Our mission is to use epidemiology to understand the prevalence and expression of autism and to advance the scientific study of autism risk and protective factors.