Factors Identified for Earlier Dx of ASD

PHILADELPHIA – Children are likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders at a younger age if there is a shorter period between referral and evaluation, Dr. Ginger Janow said.

Early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders can make a big difference in outcomes.

“The one thing that's been shown consistently [to] affect outcomes is early intensive behavioral intervention,” said Dr. Janow of the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, New York, at the annual meeting of the Eastern Pediatric Research Society. The effectiveness of these interventions depends on the age at which they are started.

The researchers performed a retrospective chart review of 116 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at the Seaver and New York Autism Center of Excellence at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, between 1995 and 2005. Specialists at the center conduct initial evaluations for ASD.

Supplementary evaluations are performed when additional assessment is warranted. The average age of diagnosis at the center was 27 months, and the average time between referral and evaluation was 2 months.

An analysis showed that earlier age of diagnosis was correlated with diagnosis at the primary evaluation (rather than at a supplemental evaluation), decreased time between referral and evaluation, and increased fine-motor and adaptive delays.

Early diagnosis was not correlated with insurance status, estimated income, or language delays.