Age of diagnosis for autism: individual and community factors across 10 birth cohorts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The incidence of autism rose dramatically between 1992 and 2001, while the age at which children were first diagnosed declined. During this period the size and composition of the autism caseload has changed, but little is known about whether the factors associated with the timing of diagnosis may also have shifted. Using a multilevel analysis strategy, the individual and community-level factors associated with age of diagnosis were modelled across 10 birth cohorts of California children.

Methods

Linked birth and administrative records on 17,185 children with diagnoses of autistic disorder born in California between 1992 and 2001 and enrolled with the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) were analysed. Information on cases, their parents and their

SUBMITTER: Fountain C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3039707 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature