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Factors Affecting Age at ASD Diagnosis in UK: No Evidence that Diagnosis Age has Decreased Between 2004 and 2014

Denise Brett1, Frances Warnell2, Helen McConachie1

  • 1Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|April 2, 2016
PubMed

Insights

The median age for diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the UK has not decreased, remaining at 55 months. Factors like language delay and lower socioeconomic status were linked to earlier diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Child psychology
  • Developmental pediatrics
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders

Background:

  • Clinical initiatives in the UK aim to lower the age of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis.
  • Previous research indicates a need to understand diagnostic trends and influencing factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if the median age of ASD diagnosis in UK children has decreased in recent years.
  • To identify factors associated with earlier ASD diagnosis.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from 2134 children diagnosed with ASD from two large UK family databases.
  • Statistical examination of diagnostic age and associated demographic and clinical factors.

Main Results:

  • The median age of ASD diagnosis has not decreased, remaining at 55 months.
  • Factors associated with earlier diagnosis include autism diagnosis (vs. other ASDs), language regression, language delay, lower socioeconomic status, and higher support needs.

Conclusions:

  • Current clinical strategies have not reduced the median age of ASD diagnosis in the UK.
  • Targeted interventions are needed to address factors that contribute to delayed diagnosis, particularly in specific subgroups.

Keywords:
ASDAge at diagnosisAutismAutism spectrum disorder

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