1 17 General introduction The end of investment terminated the collaborative relationship between preventive and specialist care. This may have led to a potential decrease in awareness about early detection among preventive care professionals. Additionally, the absence of postprogram training resulted in a potential loss of expertise when previously trained staff members departed. Considering the overall pressure on funding of mental healthcare, it is of great importance that effective strategies with minimal financial demands are explored to ensure a lasting impact (Pijl et al., 2018). Furthermore, the results of the sustainability research conducted by Pijl et al. a) underlines the need for continued and active investment in early detection and b) emphasizes the importance of ongoing study and the development of improvement strategies for early detection and early intervention in infants and toddlers at elevated likelihood for ASD. The SCOPE project addresses this recommendation by examining a new strategy called the BEAR intervention, which will be briefly discussed at the end of this chapter and explored in greater detail in Chapters 4, 5 and 6 of this thesis. 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 2003 2004-2006 2009-2011 Percentage of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) under 36 months. Figure 1.1. Mountain of succes of the DIANE early detection program, as evaluated by Pijl et al. (2018). Graph first presented by de Korte (2014). Dutch guideline: Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders at well-baby clinics In the Netherlands, a routine and systematic observation of infants and toddlers takes place at a well-baby office where preventive healthcare professionals such as physicians and nurse regularly engage with young children and their parents for vaccinations, medical care, and developmental screening. This provides preventive care physicians (PCPs) with a crucial role in surveillance, facilitating early detection and guiding children towards early interventions when necessary. Amongst others, the results of both the SOSO study and the
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