title: Predictors of ascertainment of autism spectrum disorders across nine US communities.
abstract: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) prevalence estimates derived from a single data source under-identify children and provide a biased profile of case characteristics. We analyzed characteristics of 1,919 children with ASD identified by the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. Cases ascertained only at education sources were compared to those identified at health sources. 38 % were education-only. These were older at their earliest evaluation (54.5 vs. 42.0 months, p < 0.001) and earliest ASD diagnosis (62 vs. 53 months, p < 0.001). More lived in census blocks with lower adult education (p < 0.001). Lower educational attainment of adults in census blocks of residence of education-only cases suggests disparities in access to clinical services with the schools providing crucial services to many families.
authors.affiliation: Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. sydneyp@u.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Sydney
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pettygrove
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pinborough-Zimmerman
authors.forename: F John
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Meaney
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Naarden Braun
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rice
mesh_terms: D001130:Arizona / Q000453:epidemiology; D001131:Arkansas / Q000453:epidemiology; D019352:Censuses; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011996:Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013022:South Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D014589:Utah / Q000453:epidemiology