Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #109286

David S. Mandell, ScD, Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (215) 662-2504, mandelld@mail.med.upenn.edu

Early diagnosis of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is critical, but diagnosis is often delayed until school age. Few studies have identified factors associated with delay in diagnosis. This study attempted to identify these factors among a community sample of children with ASD. We surveyed 969 caregivers of children with ASD regarding their service experiences. Linear regression was used to identify clinical characteristics, demographic characteristics and interactions with the health system associated with age of diagnosis. Average age of diagnosis was 3.1 years for children with autistic disorder, 3.8 years for children with pervasive developmental disorder-NOS, and 7.8 years for children with Asperger's disorder. Children living in rural and suburban areas were diagnosed 0.7 and 0.5 years later, respectively, than urban children. Near-poor children were diagnosed 0.7 years later than those with incomes more than 100% above the poverty level. Classic symptoms of ASD were associated with a half-year decrease in the age of diagnosis, but other common symptoms were associated with no decrease or an increase in the age of diagnosis. There was a 0.2-year increase in the age of diagnosis for each additional pediatrician a child had, and a 0.3-year decrease among children whose pediatricians referred them to a specialist. Findings suggest the importance of continuous pediatric care in decreasing the age of diagnosis. The fact that common but perhaps lesser-known symptoms of ASD did not result in decreased age of diagnosis suggests the importance of both continued physician education and increasing the availability of specialist referrals.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

• Recognize prevalent parent-reported symptoms of autism spectrum disorders
• Identify factors associated with delayed or expedited diagnosis among children with ASD
• Describe strategies that may reduce the age at which children with ASD are diagnosed

Keywords: Child and Adolescent Mental Health,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.