Binghamton Research Days Student Presentations
Candrilli_Angela.pdfFactors Impacting Age of Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Factors Impacting Age of Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Angela Candrilli (Junior, Psychology)
Angela Candrilli (Junior, Psychology)
Mentors: Raymond Romanczyk, Psychology; Jennifer Gillis, Psychology
Mentors: Raymond Romanczyk, Psychology; Jennifer Gillis, Psychology
Abstract
Earlier diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is related to optimal outcomes (Turner, Stone, Pozdol, & Coonrod, 2006), but may be impacted by demographic variables (e.g., parental income, gender, race; Fountain, King, & Bearman, 2011). The contribution of system-level factors (e.g., service access, type of diagnosing professional, co-occurring conditions) is unclear. This study examined factors impacting age of ASD diagnosis for 105 children (6-17 years-old). Linear regression results indicate children receive ASD diagnoses later if they live in the Midwest United States (β=2.24, p< .05) or another country (β=4.08, p< .05) compared to the Northeast United States. Age of diagnosis was also later for diagnoses by psychologists compared to pediatricians (β=1.54, p< .05), or in cases of co-occurring mood disorders (β=3.02, p< .01). Children who received developmental services (Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy) were diagnosed earlier (β=-1.93, p< .05) compared to those who had never received these services. Unlike past research, parental income, race, and ASD symptom severity were not related to age of ASD diagnosis. Systems-level variables best account for age of ASD diagnosis and should be considered in efforts to reduce barriers to care.
Abstract
Earlier diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is related to optimal outcomes (Turner, Stone, Pozdol, & Coonrod, 2006), but may be impacted by demographic variables (e.g., parental income, gender, race; Fountain, King, & Bearman, 2011). The contribution of system-level factors (e.g., service access, type of diagnosing professional, co-occurring conditions) is unclear. This study examined factors impacting age of ASD diagnosis for 105 children (6-17 years-old). Linear regression results indicate children receive ASD diagnoses later if they live in the Midwest United States (β=2.24, p< .05) or another country (β=4.08, p< .05) compared to the Northeast United States. Age of diagnosis was also later for diagnoses by psychologists compared to pediatricians (β=1.54, p< .05), or in cases of co-occurring mood disorders (β=3.02, p< .01). Children who received developmental services (Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy) were diagnosed earlier (β=-1.93, p< .05) compared to those who had never received these services. Unlike past research, parental income, race, and ASD symptom severity were not related to age of ASD diagnosis. Systems-level variables best account for age of ASD diagnosis and should be considered in efforts to reduce barriers to care.