Investigating autism knowledge, self-efficacy, and confidence following maternal and child health nurse training for the early identification of autism

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.

About the autistic author marker

Metadata sources used for this reference

OpenAlex Crossref OpenCitations
Learn more about the sources used

Gore, K., Gilbert, M., Hawke, M., & Barbaro, J. (2024). Investigating autism knowledge, self-efficacy, and confidence following maternal and child health nurse training for the early identification of autism. Frontiers in Neurology, 14, 1201292-1201292. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2023.1201292

Publication date: 9 Jan 2024 Added to AutiHub: 7 Sep 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
Publisher source (DOI) Full text OpenAlex source

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
4
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 4 (25.0%)
  1. Katherine Gore
  2. Melissa Gilbert
  3. Marguerite Hawke
  4. Josephine Barbaro *

Abstract

Introduction Early identification of children with a high likelihood of autism can lead to referral for diagnostic services and access to early supports, resulting in improved outcomes for children and families. Maternal and Child Health Nurses (MCHNs) in Victoria, Australia, are well-placed to monitor infants and toddlers for signs of autism, given children and caregivers attend free, regular, well-baby consultations from birth through to school age. This study aimed to identify the impact of personal and workplace factors on MCHNs’ competencies of autism knowledge, self-efficacy in identifying autistic infants and toddlers, and confidence in speaking to parents/caregivers about autism. Additionally, the study sought to identify which personal and workplace factors might predict increased competency in these areas. Methods After identifying training needs and current competency levels via a training needs analysis (TNA), 1,428 MCHNs received training on the early signs of autism and in the use of the Social Attention and Communication Surveillance-Revised (SACS-R) tool for early autism identification; the training program was known as Monitoring of Social Attention, Interaction, and Communication (MoSAIC). Results Previous MCHN autism training and knowledge of autism community resources significantly contributed to increased MCHN self-efficacy in identifying autistic infants and toddlers, while knowledge of community resources was the best predictor of confidence in speaking with parents/caregivers about autism. Perceived self-efficacy and confidence in speaking with parents/caregivers about autism significantly increased following the MoSAIC autism training. Discussion Targeted autism training for primary health practitioners is an important first step for early autism identification and initiating conversations with parents/caregivers.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 13 Sep 2026 01:04.

Cited references
64
With a DOI
50
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
13
8 / 64 (12.5%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
8 / 64 (12.5%)
References with detected author names
59 / 64 (92.2%)
Without detected author names
5
Without a structured title
3
Without a stable identifier
12
References with raw author names still to review
0
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
208
From DOI or external metadata
208
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
0
57 / 208 (27.4%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 151 / 208 (72.6%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
8 / 208 (3.8%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 8 / 57 (14.0%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 2 / 191 (1.0%).
  1. W B Lian , S K Y Ho , C L Yeo , L Y Ho (2003). General practitioners' knowledge on childhood developmental and behavioural disorders . Singapore Med J, 44(8), 397.
    Type: Article OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W173952941
    Crossref OpenAlex
  2. Pankaj Garg (2014). An Exploratory Survey for Understanding Perceptions, Knowledge and Educational Needs of General Practitioners (GSs) Regarding Autistic Disorders in New South Wales (NSW), Australia . JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH, 8(7), Pc01. JCDR Research and Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.7860/jcdr/2014/8243.4527 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2186528790
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  3. Zachary Warren , Melissa L. McPheeters , Nila Sathe , Jennifer H. Foss‐Feig , Allison Glasser , Jeremy Veenstra‐VanderWeele (2011). A Systematic Review of Early Intensive Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders . Pediatrics, 127(5), e1303-e1311. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1542/peds.2011-0426 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2155277287
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  4. Ousseny Zerbo , Maria L Massolo , Yinge Qian , Lisa A. Croen (2015). A Study of Physician Knowledge and Experience with Autism in Adults in a Large Integrated Healthcare System . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(12), 4002-4014. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2579-2 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1258271155
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  5. Géraldine Dawson (2008). Early behavioral intervention, brain plasticity, and the prevention of autism spectrum disorder . Development and Psychopathology, 20(3), 775-803. Cambridge University Press (CUP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1017/s0954579408000370 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2116697664
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  6. Sandra Thom-Jones * , Valerie Harwood (2009). Representations of autism in Australian print media . Disability & Society, 24(1), 5-18. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/09687590802535345 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2156791788
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  7. Barbara G. Tabachnick , Linda S. Fidell (1983). Using multivariate statistics .
    Type: Book OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1484864026
    OpenAlex
  10. H. Pain (1999). Coping with a child with disabilities from the parents’ perspective: the function of information . Child: Care, Health and Development, 25(4), 299-313. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2214.1999.00132.x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1978656018
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  12. Hideo Honda , Yasuo Shimizu , Yukari Nitto , Miho Imai , Takeshi Ozawa , Mitsuaki Iwasa et al. (2009). Extraction and Refinement Strategy for detection of autism in 18‐month‐olds: a guarantee of higher sensitivity and specificity in the process of mass screening . Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 50(8), 972-981. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2009.02055.x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1993300520
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  13. Paul S. Carbone , Chuck Norlin , Paul C. Young (2016). Improving Early Identification and Ongoing Care of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder . Pediatrics, 137(6), e20151850. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1542/peds.2015-1850 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2345474153
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  14. Amy R Swanson , Zachary E Warren , Wendy L. Stone , Alison C Vehorn , Elizabeth Dohrmann , Quentin Humberd (2014). The diagnosis of autism in community pediatric settings: Does advanced training facilitate practice change? Autism, 18(5), 555-561. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361313481507 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2102984984
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  15. Lyn J Fragar , Julie C Depczynski (2011). Beyond 50. challenges at work for older nurses and allied health workers in rural Australia: a thematic analysis of focus group discussions . BMC Health Services Research, 11(1), 1. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1186/1472-6963-11-42 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1995427379
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  16. Elizabeth A. Fuller , Ann P. Kaiser (2020). The Effects of Early Intervention on Social Communication Outcomes for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(5), 1683-1700. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-03927-z OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2916113381
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  17. Micah Mazurek , Alicia Brewer Curran , Courtney Burnette , Kristin Sohl (2019). ECHO Autism STAT: Accelerating Early Access to Autism Diagnosis . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(1), 127-137. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3696-5 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2884055252
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  18. Jennifer A. Pinto-Martin , Margaret C. Souders , Ellen Giarelli , Susan E. Levy (2005). The Role of Nurses in Screening for Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Pediatric Primary Care . Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 20(3), 163-169. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2005.01.004 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2006421664
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  19. Kirsten Corden , Rebecca Brewer , Eilidh Cage (2022). A Systematic Review of Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge, Self-Efficacy and Attitudes Towards Working with Autistic People . Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 9(3), 386-399. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s40489-021-00263-w OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3163025874
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  20. Laura Crane , I. A. Davidson , Rachel Prosser , Elizabeth Pellicano (2019). Understanding psychiatrists' knowledge, attitudes and experiences in identifying and supporting their patients on the autism spectrum: online survey . BJPsych Open, 5(3), e33. Royal College of Psychiatrists.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2019.12 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2935455368
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  22. Andrew Cashin , Amy Pracilio , Thomas Buckley , Julia Morphet , Michelle Kersten , Julian Trollor et al. (2022). A cross‐practice context exploration of nursing preparedness and comfort to care for people with intellectual disability and autism . Journal of Clinical Nursing, 31(19-20), 2971-2980. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16131 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3212383163
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  23. Scott G. Allen , Anita D. Berry , Juanona A. Brewster , Ram K. Chalasani , Patricia K. Mack (2010). Enhancing Developmentally Oriented Primary Care: An Illinois Initiative to Increase Developmental Screening in Medical Homes . Pediatrics, 126(Supplement_3), S160-S164. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1542/peds.2010-1466k OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2062545542
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  25. Sigan L. Hartley , Darryn M. Sikora (2009). Sex Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Examination of Developmental Functioning, Autistic Symptoms, and Coexisting Behavior Problems in Toddlers . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(12), 1715-1722. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-009-0810-8 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2073080592
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  26. Lauren Clarke , Lawrence K. Fung (2022). The impact of autism-related training programs on physician knowledge, self-efficacy, and practice behavior: A systematic review . Autism, 26(7), 1626-1640. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/13623613221102016 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4282843740
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  27. Nili E. Major , Georgina Peacock , Wendy Ruben , Jana Thomas , Carol C. Weitzman (2013). Autism Training in Pediatric Residency: Evaluation of a Case-Based Curriculum . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(5), 1171-1177. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-012-1662-1 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2075391656
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  28. Ayelet Ben-Sasson , Osnat Atun-Einy , Gal Yahav-Jonas , Shimona Lev-On , Tali Gev (2018). Training Physical Therapists in Early ASD Screening . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(11), 3926-3938. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3668-9 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2809960126
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  29. James Cane , Denise O’Connor , Susan Michie (2012). Validation of the theoretical domains framework for use in behaviour change and implementation research . Implementation Science, 7(1), 37. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1186/1748-5908-7-37 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2077109464
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  30. Berenstein (2012). Predictors of screening and referral practices for autism among Canadian family physicians [doctoral dissertation] . Predictors of screening and referral practices for autism among Canadian family physicians [doctoral dissertation].
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  31. Franz Faul , Edgar Erdfelder , Albert-Georg Lang , Axel Buchner (2007). G*Power 3: A flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences . Behavior Research Methods, 39(2), 175-191. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3758/bf03193146 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2087484885
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  32. Daniela Bordini , Rosane Lowenthal , Ary Gadelha , Gerardo M.de Araujo Filho , Jair de J. Mari , Cristiane S. Paula (2014). Impact of training in autism for primary care providers: a pilot study . Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 37(1), 63-66. EDITORA SCIENTIFIC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1590/1516-4446-2014-1367 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2099278917
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  33. Gordon Bates (2010). Autism in fiction and autobiography . Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 16(1), 47-52. Cambridge University Press (CUP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1192/apt.bp.108.005660 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2114913106
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  34. Valentina Postorino , Laura Maria Fatta , Lavinia De Peppo , Giulia Giovagnoli , Marco Armando , Stefano Vicari et al. (2015). Longitudinal comparison between male and female preschool children with autism spectrum disorder . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(7), 2046-2055. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2366-0 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2091266264
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  35. (2019). Maternal and child health service guidelines . Maternal and child health service guidelines.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  36. (2019). Maternal & Child Health Services Annual Report 2017-18 . Maternal & Child Health Services Annual Report 2017-18, 19.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  37. Jiro Takeuchi , Yu Sakagami , Romana C. Perez (2016). The Mother and Child Health Handbook in Japan as a Health Promotion Tool . Global Pediatric Health, 3, 2333794X1664988. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/2333794x16649884 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2408264795
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  38. Chris Rossiter , Cathrine Fowler , Amiee Hesson , Sue Kruske , Caroline S. E. Homer , Virginia Schmied (2019). Australian parents’ use of universal child and family health services: A consumer survey . Health & Social Care in the Community, 27(2), 472-482. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12667 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2898282588
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  39. Allison Golnik , Marjorie Ireland , Iris Wagman Borowsky (2009). Medical Homes for Children With Autism: A Physician Survey . Pediatrics, 123(3), 966-971. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1542/peds.2008-1321 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2110289498
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  40. England (2019). Official statistics: health visitor service delivery metrics (experimental statistics), quarter 3 2018/19 statistical commentary (April 2019) . Official statistics: health visitor service delivery metrics (experimental statistics), quarter 3 2018/19 statistical commentary (April 2019).
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  41. Kathryn R. Bradbury , Susanne W. Duvall , Kira Armstrong , Trevor A. Hall (2022). Survey of training experiences and clinical practice in assessment for autism spectrum disorder by neuropsychologists . The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 36(5), 856-873. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2021.1948610 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3186658534
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  42. Ramzi Shawahna (2021). Self-rated familiarity with autism spectrum disorders among practicing nurses: a cross-sectional study in the palestinian nursing practice . BMC Nursing, 20(1), 241. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1186/s12912-021-00764-3 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3215195952
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  43. Marc Tebruegge , Vridhagiri Nandini , Jane Ritchie (2004). Does routine child health surveillance contribute to the early detection of children with pervasive developmental disorders? – An epidemiological study in Kent, U.K. BMC Pediatrics, 4(1), 4. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1186/1471-2431-4-4 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2145877403
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  44. Johanna M Huijg , Winifred A Gebhardt , Elise Dusseldorp , Marieke W Verheijden , Nicolette van der Zouwe , Barend JC Middelkoop et al. (2014). Measuring determinants of implementation behavior: psychometric properties of a questionnaire based on the theoretical domains framework . Implementation Science, 9(1), 33. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1186/1748-5908-9-33 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2159177038
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  45. Silvana Unigwe , Carole Buckley , Laura Crane , Lorcan Kenny , Anna Remington , Elizabeth Pellicano (2017). GPs’ confidence in caring for their patients on the autism spectrum: an online self-report study . British Journal of General Practice, 67(659), e445-e452. Royal College of General Practitioners.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3399/bjgp17x690449 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2614102167
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  46. Maureen S. Durkin , Matthew J. Maenner , F. John Meaney , Susan E. Levy , Carolyn DiGuiseppi , Joyce S. Nicholas et al. (2010). Socioeconomic Inequality in the Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence from a U.S. Cross-Sectional Study . PLoS ONE, 5(7), e11551. Public Library of Science (PLoS).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011551 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2158452837
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  47. Thendral Uthaman , Tse Lert Chua , Shin Yuh Ang (2016). Older nurses: A literature review on challenges, factors in early retirement and workforce retention . Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare, 25(1), 50-55. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/2010105815610138 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2323449457
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  48. Roula Choueiri , Asher Lindenbaum , Manasa Ravi , William Robsky , Julie Flahive , William Garrison (2021). Improving Early Identification and Access to Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Toddlers in a Culturally Diverse Community with the Rapid Interactive screening Test for Autism in Toddlers . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(11), 3937-3945. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04851-3 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3120859543
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  49. Marian E. Williams , Emily C. Haranin (2016). Preparation of Mental Health Clinicians to Work With Children With Co-Occurring Autism Spectrum Disorders and Mental Health Needs . Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 9(1-2), 83-100. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/19315864.2016.1166302 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2336560036
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  50. Rebecca E. Murray , Erin E. Barton (2021). Training Pediatricians to Implement Autism Screening Tools: a Review of the Literature . Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 8(1), 108-117. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s40489-020-00206-x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3016451377
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  51. Anders Nordahl-Hansen , Roald A. Øien , Sue Fletcher-Watson (2018). Pros and Cons of Character Portrayals of Autism on TV and Film . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(2), 635-636. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3390-z OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2769209901
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  52. C. Ryan , M. Bergin , J.S Wells (2017). Valuable yet Vulnerable—A review of the challenges encountered by older nurses in the workplace . International Journal of Nursing Studies, 72, 42-52. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.04.006 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2606273995
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  53. Paola Corsano , Mariaelena Cinotti , Laura Guidotti (2020). Paediatric nurses’ knowledge and experience of autism spectrum disorders: An Italian survey . Journal of Child Health Care, 24(3), 486-495. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1367493519875339 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2972750418
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  55. Small (2012). ref34
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  56. Ries (2011). ref35
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  57. Олена Красуля (2018). Особливості переживання тривожності дітьми підліткового віку . Актуальні проблеми психології в закладах освіти, 9, 102-107. Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.31812/psychology.v9i0.3727 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4289542963
    Crossref
  59. (2011). Early childhood development workforce, research report, [internet] . Early childhood development workforce, research report, [internet].
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  60. (2019). Qualtrics . Qualtrics.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  61. (2018). Technical paper: Socio-economic indexes for areas (SEIFA) . Technical paper: Socio-economic indexes for areas (SEIFA).
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  62. Tabachnick (2018). Cleaning up your act . Using multivariate statistics, 93.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  63. Mackintosh (2005). Sources of information and support used by parents of children with autism spectrum disorders . J Develop Disab, 12, 41.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  64. Elmensdorp (2011). ref59
    Type: Other
    Crossref