Clinical signs associated with earlier diagnosis of children with autism Spectrum disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The objective of this study is to gain new insights into the relationship between clinical signs and age at diagnosis.

Method

We utilize a new, large, online survey of 1743 parents of children diagnosed with ASD, and use multiple statistical approaches. These include regression analysis, factor analysis, and machine learning (regression tree).

Results

We find that clinical signs that most strongly predict early diagnosis are not necessarily specific to autism, but rather those that initiate the process that eventually leads to an ASD diagnosis. Given the high correlations between symptoms, only a few signs are found to be important in predicting early diagnosis. For several clinical signs we find that their presence and intensity are positively correlated w

SUBMITTER: Sicherman N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7905573 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature