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Cited by 500Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchFamily and Disability Support ResearchChild Nutrition and Feeding Issues

The diagnosis of autism and Asperger syndrome: findings from a survey of 770 families

Howlin, Patricia, Asgharian, Anna·1999·Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology
DOI 10.1017/s0012162299001656
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Abstract

As part of a wider survey of parents of children with autistic spectrum disorders in the UK, the diagnostic experiences of 614 parents of children with autism and 156 with Asperger syndrome were compared. Although the ages of the children in the two groups were very similar at the time of the survey, parents of children given a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome had experienced significantly longer delays and greater frustration in obtaining a diagnosis than those with a child with autism. In the 'autism group' the average age when diagnosis was confirmed was around 5.5 years; in the 'Asperger group' it was 11 years. Parents of children with a diagnosis of autism were generally aware of problems in their child's development by 18 months of age; in the Asperger group concerns emerged later, at around 30 months of age. Initial worries in both groups centred around abnormal social development but parents of children with Asperger syndrome were less likely to have noted communication problems. Stereotyped or repetitive behaviours were not prominent in the early years in either group. Despite the problems inherent in data collected by postal survey, many of the findings of this study are supported by other research. The practical implications of delayed diagnosis, especially in the case of more able children with Asperger syndrome are discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1017/s0012162299001656

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  • For PDD-NOS, median age at diagnosis across studies ranged from 48 to 77 months.

    “Among studies reporting age at diagnosis for PDD-NOS (n = 13), mean and median ages ranged from 40 [11] to 111 months [34] and from 48 to 77 months [26], respectively.”

    From Explaining differences in age at autism spectrum disorder diagnosis: A critical review (2014) · cites this paper as [26]

  • For autistic disorder, median age at diagnosis across studies ranged from 34 to 88 months.

    “Among studies reporting age at diagnosis for autistic disorder (n = 24), mean and median ages ranged from 32 [18] to 89 months [6] and 34 [26] to 88 months [28], respectively.”

    From Explaining differences in age at autism spectrum disorder diagnosis: A critical review (2014) · cites this paper as [26]

  • For Asperger's disorder, median age at diagnosis across studies ranged from 89 to 116 months.

    “Among studies reporting age at diagnosis for Asperger’s disorder (n = 16), mean and median ages ranged from 45 [11] to 134 months [3] and 89 [26] to 116 months [22], respectively.”

    From Explaining differences in age at autism spectrum disorder diagnosis: A critical review (2014) · cites this paper as [26]

  • For specific ASD diagnosis, median age at diagnosis across studies ranged from 36 to 106 months.

    “Seven studies assessed the mean or median age at which a specific diagnosis of “ASD” (i.e. “ASD-NOS,” “general ASD,” etc.) was assigned; mean and median age at diagnosis estimates ranged from 42 [39] to 78 months [18] and from 36 [26] to 106 months [28], respectively.”

    From Explaining differences in age at autism spectrum disorder diagnosis: A critical review (2014) · cites this paper as [26]

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Authors
Howlin, P., & Asgharian, A.
Affiliations
  • St George's, University of London (GB)
  • Royal Holloway University of London (GB)
ORCID
Howlin, Patricia
Venue
Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
1999-12
Volume
41
Issue
12
Pages
834-839
ISSN
0012-1622 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1017/s0012162299001656
OpenAlex
W2127643458
Cited by
500
References
30
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 47 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 39
FWCI
2.95
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1 (tdm, 5753 d)
Locations
  • Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, Asperger syndrome, delayed diagnosis, parental experiences, communication difficulties, parents of autistic children
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Autistic Disorder, Child, Child, Preschool, Diagnosis, Differential, Female, United Kingdom, Humans, Male, Parents, Surveys and Questionnaires, Asperger Syndrome

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