Karen McKenzie1, Kirsty Forsyth2, Anne O'Hare3, Iain McClure3, Marion Rutherford2, Aja Murray4, Linda Irvine5. 1. Northumbria University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumberland Building, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE18ST, UK. Electronic address: k.mckenzie@northumbria.ac.uk. 2. School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Queen Margaret Drive, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK. 3. School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK. 4. School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Queen Margaret Drive, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK; Violence Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 9DA, UK. 5. NHS Lothian, Waverley Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EG, UK.
Abstract
AIMS: 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. METHOD: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
AIMS: 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. METHOD: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
Authors: Paul S Carbone; Kathleen Campbell; Jacob Wilkes; Gregory J Stoddard; Kelly Huynh; Paul C Young; Terisa P Gabrielsen Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2020-07-06 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Marion Rutherford; Morag Burns; Duncan Gray; Lynne Bremner; Sarah Clegg; Lucy Russell; Charlie Smith; Anne O'Hare Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2018-05
Authors: Marion Rutherford; Kirsty Forsyth; Karen McKenzie; Iain McClure; Aja Murray; Deborah McCartney; Linda Irvine; Anne O'Hare Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2018-08
Authors: Vanessa Abrahamson; Wenjing Zhang; Patricia M Wilson; William Farr; Venkat Reddy; Jeremy Parr; Anna Peckham; Ian Male Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-12-14 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Catherine R G Jones; Sarah L Barrett; Ieva Bite; Maria Legzdina; Kristina Arina; Andrea Higgins; Kyla Honey; Sarah J Carrington; Dale Hay; Johanna Condon; Susan R Leekam Journal: Mol Autism Date: 2020-08-15 Impact factor: 7.509