![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.JPG)
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Northwest Hall (Chicago Hilton)
10:00 AM
Background: Recent years have witnessed a surge of interest in the identification and diagnosis of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Objectives: This study sought to examine changes in documented diagnostic classifications of children identified by a population-based ASD surveillance system in metropolitan Atlanta , GA.
Methods: Participants were 1023 children who met ASD case criteria in surveillance years 2000, 2002, and 2004; the number of ASD surveillance cases increased each surveillance year. Children were identified as a potential ASD surveillance case by abstraction and review of health and educational records inAtlanta , GA. Trained clinicians applied a standardized coding scheme to determine ASD case status. Clinicians also coded evaluation classifications documented by a community professional.
Results: The odds likelihood of receiving a documented classification of all ASDs was significantly higher in 2004 than in 2000; there was a significant decrease in classifications of Autistic Disorder from 2002 to 2004 accompanied by comparable increases in descriptions of other ASDs, language delay, and motor delay. Other nonASD classifications remained relatively stable, although Sensory Integration Disorder and other specific delays increased slightly. A majority of ASD surveillance cases had an ASD classification noted in surveillance records. However, a substantial minority had no ASD classification noted in available records.
Conclusions: More children were identified as an ASD surveillance case from 2000-2004; the likelihood of receiving an ASD classification increased during this time. These results suggest that more children are being identified and diagnosed with ASDs over a relatively brief period. Documentation of certain developmental delays also increased during this period, which could represent better understanding that ASDs co-occur with other conditions or more comfort describing symptoms of ASDs rather than diagnosing Autistic Disorder. Many children with documented ASD behaviors did not have a documented ASD classification. Thus, children with ASDs may continue to be under-diagnosed.
Methods: Participants were 1023 children who met ASD case criteria in surveillance years 2000, 2002, and 2004; the number of ASD surveillance cases increased each surveillance year. Children were identified as a potential ASD surveillance case by abstraction and review of health and educational records in
Results: The odds likelihood of receiving a documented classification of all ASDs was significantly higher in 2004 than in 2000; there was a significant decrease in classifications of Autistic Disorder from 2002 to 2004 accompanied by comparable increases in descriptions of other ASDs, language delay, and motor delay. Other nonASD classifications remained relatively stable, although Sensory Integration Disorder and other specific delays increased slightly. A majority of ASD surveillance cases had an ASD classification noted in surveillance records. However, a substantial minority had no ASD classification noted in available records.
Conclusions: More children were identified as an ASD surveillance case from 2000-2004; the likelihood of receiving an ASD classification increased during this time. These results suggest that more children are being identified and diagnosed with ASDs over a relatively brief period. Documentation of certain developmental delays also increased during this period, which could represent better understanding that ASDs co-occur with other conditions or more comfort describing symptoms of ASDs rather than diagnosing Autistic Disorder. Many children with documented ASD behaviors did not have a documented ASD classification. Thus, children with ASDs may continue to be under-diagnosed.