Factors influencing waiting times for diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in children and adults.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the main factors predicting delays in diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at three stages in the diagnostic process: wait for first appointment; assessment duration, and total wait for diagnosis.


METHODS
Data were gathered from 150 case notes (80 child and 70 adult cases) from 16 diagnosing services across Scotland.


RESULTS
Having more information pre-assessment was associated with a reduced duration of the diagnostic process for children. This relationship was partially mediated by a reduction in the number of contacts required for diagnosis. In adults, having more factors associated with ASD (increased risk) reduced the wait time from referral to first appointment, but increased the overall duration of the diagnostic process. The latter relationship was partially mediated by an increase in the number of contacts required for diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Within children's services, increasing the amount of relevant information available pre-assessment is likely to reduce total duration of the assessment process by reducing number of contacts required. Having a high risk of ASD as an adult appears to result in being seen more quickly following referral, but also to increase the number of contacts needed and assessment duration. As a result, it increases and total duration overall.
Northumbria University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumberland Building, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE18ST, UK. Electronic address: k.mckenzie@northumbria.ac.uk.
Karen
K
McKenzie
School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Queen Margaret Drive, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK.
Kirsty
K
Forsyth
School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK.
Anne
A
O'Hare
School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK.
Iain
I
McClure
School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Queen Margaret Drive, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK.
Marion
M
Rutherford
School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Queen Margaret Drive, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK; Violence Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 9DA, UK.
Aja
A
Murray
NHS Lothian, Waverley Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EG, UK.
Linda
L
Irvine
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012606:Scotland; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
Assessment duration; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Diagnosis; Early detection; Waiting times