Children with autism spectrum disorder from China and the Netherlands: Age of diagnosis, gender and comorbidities. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Ke; Wang, Chongying; Guo, Dehua; van Wijngaarden, Marlies; Begeer, Sander
• Is Part Of: Research in autism spectrum disorders. Volume 54(2018:Oct.)
• Page Start: 76
• Page End: 82
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Autism spectrum disorder -- Age of diagnosis -- Gender -- Comorbidities; Autism spectrum disorders -- Periodicals; 616.85882005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2018.07.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-9467

Abstract

Highlights: This study is the first systematic assessment exploring features of children with ASD from eastern (China) and western (the Netherlands) countries. 925 children with ASD from China or the Netherlands, aged 6–14, were investigated in this study during 2013 to 2014. There is a lower age of diagnosis of ASD in Chinese sample compared to the Dutch sample. In the Dutch sample only, co-morbid ADHD resulted in lower age of first concern. Abstract: Background: In recent years, an increasing number of studies have highlighted progress in ASD clinical practice and scientific research in China (Zheng & Zheng, 2015). However, little is known about the differences between clinical or scientific approaches to ASD between China and other countries. In our study we explored the impact of gender, comorbidity, parental educational and vocational status on the age of diagnosis in two samples of children with ASD from China and the Netherlands. Method: 433 children with ASD aged between 6 to 14 from China and 492 age matched children with ASD from the Netherlands were investigated based on national databases on individuals with ASD. Results: We found a lower diagnosis age in China compared to the Netherlands. The Chinese sample showed a higher male/female ratio and a higher proportion of co-morbid ADHD diagnoses, but lower age of first concern, diagnosis age and shorter delay from first concern to diagnosis. In the Dutch sample only, co-morbid ADHD resulted in lower age of first concern. The differential impact of comorbidity and gender across both countries may be related to cultural and clinical variations. Conclusions: This study may help us understand ASD from a cross-cultural perspective.