The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in Nghe An province, Vietnam

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by speech and social behavior problems. Worldwide prevalence of ASD was 1 in 59 children in 2014. According to research of 2019, the prevalence of ASD in Vietnam was significantly higher in urban -1.238% than in rural areas 0.580%. In the absence of specific biological markers, diagnosis of ASD is made based on the behavioral and psychological characteristics of the patient. Four hundred preschool teachers from 187 schools were trained to identify signs of ASD. Among 441 children with autistic signs presented by preschool teachers, (34.9% were treated. Medical management included typical antipsychotics, atypical antipsychotics, antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, α2-adrenergicagonists, β-adrenergic antagonists, mood stabilizers, and anticonvulsants. As expected, the most common group of children who had ASD symptoms were children 18-24 months old (35.4%). The incidence of ASD among boys and girls was 75.5 and 24.5%, respectively. Children living in cities were most affected by ASD 41.5%. Following treatment, severe ASD levels decreased from 89.5 to 45%. The decrease in severe ASD demonstrates that diagnosis and therapy functions. In Nghe An, there has been no research on the epidemiology of ASD in children. Therefore, the detection and organization of treatment and teaching of children are necessary in order to create conditions for children to develop a fuller personality, integrate into the community, and reduce the burden for themselves, their family, and society.