STUDY TO EVALUATE LAG IN DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY INITIATION AMONG CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD)
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Keywords
autism, Delay in diagnosis, ASD
Abstract
Objective: The present study was aimed to evaluate the various reasons for lag in diagnosis and treatment of ASD patients.
Methods Cross-sectional, observational study involving parents of 80 children with autism spectrum disorder diagnosed with DSM 5 criteria.
Results: The male child and male: female ratio of study participants was 2.4:1. We observed that parents were not sure regarding the first health professional to be contacted. Patients had reported one or more than one reasons for probable lag. Lack of awareness of symptoms, long time required for evaluation, COVID 19, and denial of the parents of having any developmental disorder are some of the prominent reasons for lag.
Conclusions: We observed that parents were not sure regarding the first health professional to be contacted. Lack of awareness of symptoms, long time required for evaluation, COVID 19, and denial of the parents of having any developmental disorder are some of the prominent reasons for delay in diagnosis and treatment.
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Dr Poonam
PG Scholar, Department of Paediatrics, Army hospital, R & R Delhi
Dr J N Goswami
Prof. Department of Paediatrics, Army hospital, R & R Delhi
Sudesh Pachar
PhD Research Scholar, Medical Technologies, AIIMS Jodhpur & IIT Jodhpur (Joint Program)