A timely diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is important for children as that may help inform the best services and supports needed for optimal outcomes. However, disparities in the identification of ASD have been consistently documented for racial/ethnic minority and immigrant populations. The majority of studies of immigrant populations have focused on the qualitative experience of ASD, however, greater knowledge about the predictors of the age of initial ASD diagnosis is needed. This study examined the child, maternal, and family-level factors that predicted the age of initial ASD diagnosis in a diverse clinical sample through a retrospective medical record review. Medical records of clinical evaluations conducted between 2004 and 2014 were reviewed for children with ASD born to immigrant and non-immigrant mothers. Regression analyses found that for both groups of children with ASD, using verbal language to communicate and having another diagnosis (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or another condition) predicted an older age of initial ASD diagnosis. For children with ASD born to immigrant mothers, residing in a multilingual household was associated with a younger age of diagnosis. These results highlight the complexities of an ASD diagnosis among diverse children and families, particularly among immigrant communities.

中文翻译：

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在不同的临床样本中检查与移民和非移民背景的自闭症谱系障碍儿童的诊断年龄相关的因素

及时诊断自闭症谱系障碍 (ASD) 对儿童很重要，因为这可能有助于为获得最佳结果所需的最佳服务和支持提供信息。然而，种族/少数民族和移民人口在 ASD 识别方面的差异一直被记录在案。大多数移民人群的研究都集中在 ASD 的定性体验上，但是，需要更多地了解初始 ASD 诊断年龄的预测因素。本研究通过回顾性医疗记录审查了在不同临床样本中预测初始 ASD 诊断年龄的儿童、母亲和家庭层面的因素。审查了 2004 年至 2014 年间对移民和非移民母亲所生的 ASD 儿童进行的临床评估的医疗记录。回归分析发现，对于两组 ASD 儿童，使用口头语言进行交流和有其他诊断（注意力缺陷/多动障碍或其他疾病）预测初始 ASD 诊断的年龄较大。对于移民母亲所生的 ASD 儿童，居住在多语言家庭中与较年轻的诊断年龄有关。这些结果突出了不同儿童和家庭，尤其是移民社区中 ASD 诊断的复杂性。居住在多语言家庭与较年轻的诊断年龄有关。这些结果突出了不同儿童和家庭，尤其是移民社区中 ASD 诊断的复杂性。居住在多语言家庭与较年轻的诊断年龄有关。这些结果突出了不同儿童和家庭，尤其是移民社区中 ASD 诊断的复杂性。