Disparities in autism diagnosis for children: Impact of race, gender, and SES
- WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Jeramine Morris (Creator)
- Institution
- Western Carolina University (WCU )
- Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
- Advisor
- David Solomon
Abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorder or autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting one in 36 children (Hodges et al., 2020). Diagnostic rates of autism have increased with boys being diagnosed at rates more than 3 times greater than girls (CDC, 2023). One of the critical impacts to autism is the timing of the diagnosis. According to Landa (2008) screening for autism can begin as early as 12 months, but the mean age of diagnosis falls between 51 and 53 months (Kilmer & Boykin, 2022). The disparity between screening and confirmation of autism diagnosis could lead to delays in children meeting their developmental milestones or eliminate the gap where early intervention can improve outcomes for impacted children. Research has shown a reversal in diagnostic rates, with non-White children being diagnosed more often than white children (Maenner et. al., 2023). Understanding the disparities in diagnosis and how they impact care could lead to improvements in screening and confirming diagnosis. The results of the showed boys were diagnosed with autism more often than girls and at an earlier age. Black children were diagnosed more often than any other race. Socio-economic status/ federal poverty level (SES/FPL) was the most significant predictor of diagnostic rates in the study. The results revealed that children living in greater levels of poverty were identified later.
Disparities in autism diagnosis for children: Impact of race, gender, and SES
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Created on 4/1/2024
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2024
- Keywords
- autism, diagnosis, gender, race, SES/FPL
- Subjects
- Autism in children
- Autism in children—Diagnosis
- Discrimination in mental health services
- Racism in medicine
- Sexism in medicine