NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ1311941
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Nov
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Parental Relationship Status and Age at Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis of Their Child
Kalb, Luther G.; Holingue, Calliope; Pfeiffer, Danika; Reetzke, Rachel; Dillon, Emily; Azad, Gazi; Freedman, Brian; Landa, Rebecca
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v25 n8 p2189-2198 Nov 2021
A reliable autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis can occur as early as 18 months; however, the average age at diagnosis in the United States is over 2 years later. While there are numerous well-known barriers to seeking an ASD diagnosis, no research has examined if separation between a child's biological parents affects timing of ASD diagnosis for their child. Data for this study were obtained from 561 children (M age = 5.4 years, SD = 3.9 years) referred to an urban, outpatient ASD specialty clinic for their first ASD evaluation. Biological parents self-reported their relationship status during the evaluation, which was then categorized as either "together" (married or living together but not married) or "not together" (separated, divorced, or never married). An inverse-probability of exposure weighted linear regression model, which adjusted for 16 different child, family, and sociodemographic variables, was utilized to assess differences in child age of ASD diagnosis between groups. At the time of diagnosis, most children's biological parents were together (69%) versus not together (31%). In the fully adjusted model, children of parents who were together were diagnosed 1.4 years earlier than those who were not together (p < 0.001). Strategies for supporting these families and reducing age disparities are indicated.
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2814
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule; Child Behavior Checklist; Parenting Stress Index
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A