Disparities in Documented Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder Based on Demographic, Individual, and Service Factors

Lisa D. Wiggins, Maureen Durkin, Amy Esler, Li Ching Lee, Walter Zahorodny, Catherine Rice, Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, Nicole F. Dowling, Jennifer Hall-Lande, Michael J. Morrier, Deborah Christensen, Josephine Shenouda, Jon Baio

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The objectives of our study were to (a) report how many children met an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) surveillance definition but had no clinical diagnosis of ASD in health or education records and (b) evaluate differences in demographic, individual, and service factors between children with and without a documented ASD diagnosis. ASD surveillance was conducted in selected areas of Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Children were defined as having ASD if sufficient social and behavioral deficits and/or an ASD diagnosis were noted in health and/or education records. Among 4,498 children, 1,135 (25%) had ASD indicators without having an ASD diagnosis. Of those 1,135 children without a documented ASD diagnosis, 628 (55%) were not known to receive ASD services in public school. Factors associated with not having a clinical diagnosis of ASD were non-White race, no intellectual disability, older age at first developmental concern, older age at first developmental evaluation, special education eligibility other than ASD, and need for fewer supports. These results highlight the importance of reducing disparities in the diagnosis of children with ASD characteristics so that appropriate interventions can be promoted across communities. Autism Res 2020, 13: 464–473.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)464-473
Number of pages10
JournalAutism Research
Volume13
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2020

Keywords

  • autism
  • diagnosis
  • disparities
  • surveillance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Genetics(clinical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Disparities in Documented Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder Based on Demographic, Individual, and Service Factors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this