The Under- and Over-Identification of Autism: Factors Associated With Diagnostic Referral.

Smith, IC; Swain, D; Murphy, HG; Ollendick, TH; White, SW

The Under- and Over-Identification of Autism: Factors Associated With Diagnostic Referral.

Smith, IC Swain, D Murphy, HG Ollendick, TH White, SW

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Publisher:: Informa UK Limited
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol, 2019, 48, (3), pp. 393-399
Issue Date:: 2019-05

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Smith, IC
dc.contributor.author	Swain, D
dc.contributor.author	Murphy, HG
dc.contributor.author	Ollendick, TH
dc.contributor.author	White, SW
dc.date.accessioned	2022-09-05T00:19:08Z
dc.date.available	2022-09-05T00:19:08Z
dc.date.issued	2019-05
dc.identifier.citation	J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol, 2019, 48, (3), pp. 393-399
dc.identifier.issn	1537-4416
dc.identifier.issn	1537-4424
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/161354
dc.description.abstract	As reported prevalence and public awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have grown in recent years, clinicians will likely see increased referrals for suspected ASD. The current study sought to elucidate factors associated with referral for possible ASD, as well as diagnostic outcome among youth referred for suspected ASD. Youth referred for psychological evaluations at an outpatient clinic (N = 69, 6-18 years, 48 male) were categorized into four groups: referred for suspected ASD and diagnosed as such, referred for ASD and not diagnosed as such, not referred for ASD but diagnosed as such, and neither referred for nor diagnosed with ASD. Approximately half of cases referred for suspected ASD did not meet diagnostic criteria. A significant effect of group was found for cognitive ability and anxiety. Youth receiving ASD diagnoses, regardless of whether they were referred for suspected ASD, demonstrated lower cognitive ability than children not receiving ASD diagnoses. Youth neither referred for nor diagnosed with ASD demonstrated lower anxiety than those who were referred and diagnosed. Maternal education significantly differed among the four groups. Although group differences are seen for youth cognitive ability, anxiety, and maternal education, we found no clear indicators differentiating referrals that were "accurate" (i.e., those diagnosed with ASD) and those that were not (i.e., those who did not receive ASD diagnosis). Comorbidity was high in all groups, including those referred primarily for ASD assessment, underscoring the importance of comprehensive assessment regardless of specificity of the referral.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Informa UK Limited
dc.relation.ispartof	J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1080/15374416.2017.1342545
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	1701 Psychology, 1702 Cognitive Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Developmental & Child Psychology
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent
dc.subject.mesh	Autism Spectrum Disorder
dc.subject.mesh	Child
dc.subject.mesh	Child, Preschool
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Referral and Consultation
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent
dc.subject.mesh	Child
dc.subject.mesh	Child, Preschool
dc.subject.mesh	Referral and Consultation
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Autism Spectrum Disorder
dc.title	The Under- and Over-Identification of Autism: Factors Associated With Diagnostic Referral.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	48
utslib.location.activity	England
utslib.for	1701 Psychology
utslib.for	1702 Cognitive Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-09-05T00:19:05Z
pubs.issue	3
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	48
utslib.citation.issue	3

Abstract:

As reported prevalence and public awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have grown in recent years, clinicians will likely see increased referrals for suspected ASD. The current study sought to elucidate factors associated with referral for possible ASD, as well as diagnostic outcome among youth referred for suspected ASD. Youth referred for psychological evaluations at an outpatient clinic (N = 69, 6-18 years, 48 male) were categorized into four groups: referred for suspected ASD and diagnosed as such, referred for ASD and not diagnosed as such, not referred for ASD but diagnosed as such, and neither referred for nor diagnosed with ASD. Approximately half of cases referred for suspected ASD did not meet diagnostic criteria. A significant effect of group was found for cognitive ability and anxiety. Youth receiving ASD diagnoses, regardless of whether they were referred for suspected ASD, demonstrated lower cognitive ability than children not receiving ASD diagnoses. Youth neither referred for nor diagnosed with ASD demonstrated lower anxiety than those who were referred and diagnosed. Maternal education significantly differed among the four groups. Although group differences are seen for youth cognitive ability, anxiety, and maternal education, we found no clear indicators differentiating referrals that were "accurate" (i.e., those diagnosed with ASD) and those that were not (i.e., those who did not receive ASD diagnosis). Comorbidity was high in all groups, including those referred primarily for ASD assessment, underscoring the importance of comprehensive assessment regardless of specificity of the referral.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/161354