Diagnosis of Autism in School Age and Adolescence in an Ethnically Diverse Population.

Despite policy emphasis on early identification, many children with Autism are diagnosed late, with some being diagnosed as late as adolescence. The objective of this study was to examine the demographics and clinical characteristics of school-age children and adolescents initially diagnosed with Autism age 7 and older, in an urban, university-affiliated multidisciplinary center that evaluates/treats youth with developmental disabilities. A chart review of all school-age children and adolescents referred for evaluation to determine if the child has developmental disabilities from January 2019 to May 2023 was performed.

Remote Learning Experience for Children With Developmental Disabilities During COVID-19 Pandemic in an Ethnically Diverse Community.

Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, K-12 education in New York City quickly transitioned to remote learning. We performed a structured interview with 50 consecutive families of children with developmental disabilities about their experience with remote learning 2 months after COVID-19 lockdown. We observed that setting up the remote learning system was challenging for families who were born outside of the United States, spoke limited English, or had a lower level of education.

Screening for Depression in Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities: Brief Report.

(1) To examine adherence of universal screening for adolescent depression at initial visits by using an established screening instrument (Patient Health Questionnaire 9 [PHQ-9]) in a university-affiliated urban developmental center that serves children with developmental disabilities (DDs); (2) to study the frequency of positive screening for depression in adolescents with DD. Review of all adolescents referred for multidisciplinary evaluation in a developmental center in 2019. Data included demographics, DD diagnoses, and use of and scores on the PHQ-9 at initial visit.

Social Differences Between Monolingual English and Bilingual English-Spanish Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Objective: Bilingualism is increasingly prevalent; however, research in bilingual children with autism is sparse. The purpose of this study was to compare social skills and autistic features in monolingual English and bilingual English-Spanish children with autism spectrum disorder.

Methods: We conducted a review of the multidisciplinary evaluations done in all children aged one to six years diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in an inner city, university-affiliated clinic from 2003 to 2013.

Sleep Problems in Children With Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities: A Brief Report.

Sleep problems in children with autism and the association with child behavioral problems was studied in an ethnically diverse population, in a cross-sectional study with structured interview. Sample included 50 families of children with autism and 50 families of children with other developmental disabilities, matched by age/gender. Interview included Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire and Aberrant Behavior Checklist.

When an Early Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Resolves, What Remains?

A chart review was performed of 38 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by 3 years of age at an inner-city developmental program who subsequently experienced resolution of ASD symptomatology and no longer met diagnostic criteria for ASD at follow-up an average of 4 years later. Demographic, developmental/cognitive data, Childhood Autism Rating Scale, and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule data as available were reviewed from the initial diagnostic evaluation and at the time of follow-up. Services received by the children between the time of diagnosis and follow-up, educational setting at the time of follow-up, and emotional/behavioral and learning diagnoses made by the multidisciplinary team at follow-up were reviewed.

Parental Stress in Families of Children With Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities.

The level of parental stress in families of children with autism and other developmental disabilities and its association with child comorbid symptoms was studied in an ethnically diverse population, in a cross-sectional study with structured interview. The sample included 50 families of children with autism and 50 families of children with other developmental disabilities, matched by age/gender. Interview included Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, Gastrointestinal Questionnaire, Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire, and Aberrant Behavior Checklist.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine in children with autism and other developmental disabilities: associations with ethnicity, child comorbid symptoms, and parental stress.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine by children with autism and the association of its use with child comorbid symptoms and parental stress was studied in an ethnically diverse population, in a cross-sectional study with structured interviews. The sample included 50 families of children with autism and 50 families of children with other developmental disabilities, matched by age/gender. Interview included the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire, Gastrointestinal Questionnaire, Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire, Aberrant Behavior Checklist, and Parenting Stress Index.

Language differences between monolingual English and bilingual English-Spanish young children with autism spectrum disorders.

Bilingualism is common worldwide and increasingly prevalent, but there is little information about bilingual children with autism spectrum disorder. The goal of the study was to compare expressive and receptive language skills in monolingual English and bilingual English-Spanish children with autism spectrum disorder. A review of the multidisciplinary evaluations done in toddlers who were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at a university-affiliated center between 2003 and 2010 was performed.

Age at diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders.

Early identification of autism has become a national priority but, despite efforts, there are children who are being identified at a later age. In this study, children of Hispanic and African American origin, foreign-born children, and children born to foreign mothers were more likely to be diagnosed later.