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Social and demographic factors that influence the diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders

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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Recent studies in epidemiology have highlighted the existence of children with autistic difficulties who remain undiagnosed. Other studies have identified ‘access barriers’ to clinics which include factors mediated by parents as well as health and education services. The purpose of this study was to examine whether social and demographic factors play a role in receiving a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) independently of symptom severity.

Methods

Retrospective secondary analysis of a longitudinal UK cohort study, namely, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

Results

With the severity of autistic traits held constant, boys were more likely to receive an ASD diagnosis than girls. Younger mothers and mothers of first-born children were significantly less likely to have children diagnosed with ASD. Maternal depression before and around the time of their children’s autistic difficulties was associated with lack of diagnosis.

Conclusions

The study provides evidence that social as well as biological factors can influence whether children are brought to the clinic.

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Acknowledgments

We are extremely grateful to all the families who took part in this study, the midwives for their help in recruiting them, and the whole ALSPAC team, which includes interviewers, computer and laboratory technicians, clerical workers, research scientists, volunteers, managers, receptionists and nurses. The UK Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust and the University of Bristol currently provide core support for ALSPAC. The work of the first author was specifically funded by the Medical Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ESRC Centre for Genomics in Society, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK

    Ginny Russell

  2. Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

    Colin Steer & Jean Golding

Authors
  1. Ginny Russell
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  2. Colin Steer
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  3. Jean Golding
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ginny Russell.

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Russell, G., Steer, C. & Golding, J. Social and demographic factors that influence the diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 46, 1283–1293 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-010-0294-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-010-0294-z

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