Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) prevalence estimates derived from a single data source under-identify children and provide a biased profile of case characteristics. We analyzed characteristics of 1,919 children with ASD identified by the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. Cases ascertained only at education sources were compared to those identified at health sources. 38 % were education-only. These were older at their earliest evaluation (54.5 vs. 42.0 months, p < 0.001) and earliest ASD diagnosis (62 vs. 53 months, p < 0.001). More lived in census blocks with lower adult education (p < 0.001). Lower educational attainment of adults in census blocks of residence of education-only cases suggests disparities in access to clinical services with the schools providing crucial services to many families.
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This work was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov), Cooperative Agreements UR3/CCU523235 and UR3/DD000078. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Pettygrove, S., Pinborough-Zimmerman, J., John Meaney, F. et al. Predictors of Ascertainment of Autism Spectrum Disorders Across Nine US Communities. J Autism Dev Disord 43, 1867–1879 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1732-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1732-4