The Age at Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children in Japan

Abstract

Background No large-scale study of the timing of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis has been performed in Japan to date. The aim of this study was to examine sex differences and annual trends in age at diagnosis of ASD using clinical data. Methods Clinical data for children aged less than 18 years diagnosed with ASD between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2013, and in whom follow-up was possible 1 year after diagnosis, were extracted. Results The mean age at ASD diagnosis was 7.2 ± 4.2 years and the mode age was 3 years. No sex difference was observed for age at diagnosis (p = 0.157). An annual trend of earlier diagnosis was observed when fiscal years were compared (p < 0.001). Conclusion This study highlighted the need to develop and provide appropriate early intervention methods and services for ASD children in Japan.

Autism Spectrum Disorders in Greece: Nationwide Prevalence in 10–11 Year-Old Children and Regional Disparities

“…In contrast to results from Japan, which did not show a difference in age at diagnosis between genders [ 82 ], the distribution of age at diagnosis differed between boys and girls in our study, with significantly more girls than boys receiving early diagnosis, especially in year 5. At this point, the male-to-female ratio was at its lowest—3.46:1—remaining below 4:1 until year 9.…”

“…From Spain, a study using a two-step screening and diagnosis procedure, reported a mean age at diagnosis of three years and 9 months in preschool children and seven years in children aged 10–12 years [ 61 ], while 80% of our cases had been diagnosed before the age of eight. Finally, seven years was the mean age at diagnosis reported in a study from Japan based on administrative data [ 82 ], with more diagnoses occurring at age three compared to our study. Different environmental expectations between Greece and Japan in the preschool setting with regard to the children’s behavioral and communication abilities, or different screening and early intervention service provision, might account for the pronounced disparity between the two countries.…”

“…The proportion of diagnoses made up to and including the third year was particularly low in our population (3.8%); at this stage the prevalence was only 0.04%, increasing to 0.20% the following year and 0.49% in the fifth year. We agree with previous authors that low prevalence at young ages might be related to a number of factors: low parental concern related to poor recognition of behavioral or communication challenges [ 19 , 83 ]; limited access to medical evaluation or awareness about early intervention services; developmental deviations raising concern for unidentified ASD or delayed referral if identified; low awareness of physicians regarding ASD presentation at early ages, or potential reluctance to diagnose a young child as autistic in order to avoid perceived stigmatization [ 12 , 82 , 84 ]. In Greece, many infants and toddlers are followed regularly by a pediatrician who monitors the development of the child and the acquisition of developmental milestones in the first years of life.…”

Development of the parental self-efficacy scale for preventing challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder

“…Among the children with ASD, the proportion of boys was 75.4%. This is almost the same figure as that reported in a profile of participants in a study using receipt data from Japan Medical Data Center Co., Ltd. (JMDC): 76.1% were found to be boys [41]. We found the degree of challenging behavior (ABC-I total score) in the children with ASD to be 10.3 ± 8.7.…”

Prospective Observational Study of an Eye-tracking Device for Under 12 Months of Age Infants; the Feasibility of Gazefinder

“…Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by "de cits in social communication and social interaction" and "restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities" [1]. In Japan, the prevalence of individuals with ASD is approximately 1% and an upward trend has been reported [2]. Early identi cation and treatment of children with ASD are regarded as important factors for improving their lifetime outcomes [3].…”