Developmental and family environment predictors of diagnostic decision-making in children with autism spectrum disorder and comorbid disorders.

BACKGROUND

Clinical psychologists are observing an increasing number of children with comorbid disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, depressive disorders and others. Due to the importance of higher efficacy of implementing early therapeutic interventions, factors determining the age of first diagnostic intervention and the age of diagnosis are particularly significant aspects when considering this topic.

PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE

An in-depth analysis of the documentation of 112 patients of one of the psychological and pedagogical counselling centres was conducted to identify family and developmental factors that contribute to the diagnostic decision-making process in children with comorbid disorders. These children were 2-17 years old and diagnosed with co-occur-rence of ASD and other disorders.

RESULTS

The results indicate that children with comorbid disorders are reported for diagnostic intervention at the age of 4 years old and 3 months old ( = 4.24, = 2.29) and the mean age of receiving an ASD diagnosis is 7 years old and 3 months old ( = 7.28, = 3.25). Predictors of the age of diagnostic intervention and ASD diagnosis were also identified. Somatic diseases and potentially speech disorders were related to the earlier age of diagnostic intervention, whereas learning difficulties were related to the later age of diagnostic intervention. Moreover, it has been found that children with comorbid externalizing disorders have an earlier age of diagnostic intervention than children without disrupting behaviours. However, this circumstance does not affect the age of ASD diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to raise parents' awareness of detecting early markers of disorders as intervention and diagnosis are implemented too late. In such circumstances, therapeutic interventions under-taken may have limited effectiveness.