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Delayed diagnosis in children with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disability

Janaína Aparecida de Oliveira Augusto1, Carolina Kulcsar Caravieri1, Rodrigo Genaro Arduini2

  • 1Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, São Paulo SP, Brazil.

Dementia & Neuropsychologia
|August 27, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Delayed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) is common in developing countries. Early identification and diagnosis are crucial for effective intervention and support for children with ASD and ID.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Developing countries face significant delays in diagnosing neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID).
  • Parental concerns often precede diagnosis by a considerable margin, impacting timely intervention.
  • Early detection is critical for improving outcomes in children with ASD and ID.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the time lag between parental concerns and diagnosis of ASD and ID in Brazilian pediatric neurology clinics.
  • To investigate associations between cognitive functioning indicators and behavioral/emotional problems in children with ASD and ID.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 106 children diagnosed with ID (n=69) and ASD (n=37) in a Brazilian public health network.
  • Inclusion criteria: diagnoses of ID and ASD. Exclusion criteria: comorbid conditions like ADHD and specific learning disorder.
  • Data collected on age at first symptoms, time to diagnosis, cognitive functioning, and behavioral/emotional problems.

Main Results:

  • A significant delay was observed between parental concerns and diagnosis for both ASD and ID, with diagnosis occurring around 6.6-6.8 years after initial concerns.
  • Children with ID demonstrated significantly lower cognitive functioning scores compared to those with ASD.
  • Children with ID exhibited higher externalizing problem scores, while children with ASD showed higher internalizing problem scores.

Conclusions:

  • The study confirms late diagnosis of ASD and ID within the studied population.
  • Findings underscore the necessity of training primary care professionals for early identification and diagnosis of ASD and ID.
  • Improved early detection strategies are essential for timely intervention and better management of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Keywords:
Autism Spectrum DisorderDelayed DiagnosisHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeIntellectual DisabilityParents

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