Table 2.
Health-contact and identification characteristics of children with ASD (n = 60)
| Variables | Frequency (%) |
|---|---|
| Referral source | |
| Parents/family | 2 (3.3) |
| Friends/neighbors | 8 (13.3) |
| General practitioners/private hospitals | 5 (8.3) |
| Specialist hospitals | 14 (23.3) |
| Schools | 31 (51.7) |
| Age (months) abnormality observed | (Mean ± s.d. = 17.02 ± 6.78) |
| 0–12 months | 25 (41.7) |
| 13–24 months | 35 (58.3) |
| >24 months | 0 (0.0) |
| Age (years) at contact with specialist clinic | (Mean ± s.d. = 8.13 ± 3.98) |
| 6 years and below | 23 (38.3) |
| 7–12 years | 27 (45.0) |
| 13 years and above | 10 (16.7) |
| Age (years) at diagnosis | (Mean ± s.d. = 9.0 ± 4.30) |
| 6 years and below | 20 (33.3) |
| 7–12 years | 26 (43.3) |
| 13 years and above | 14 (23.3) |
| Parent heard of ASD before diagnosis | |
| Yes | 2 (3.3) |
| No | 58 (96.7) |