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Autism is a lifelong condition, with symptoms usually emerging during the first two years of life and persisting throughout an individual’s life.

Parents often notice signs that something may not be quite right, but it might also be a teacher, doctor, or someone else. When this happens, the child and their parent see a specialised diagnosis team.

However, diagnosis of autism is not easy and parents often experience frustrating and distressing delays.

The Re-ASCed study was a national research project that aimed to examine existing models of Autism diagnosis and to investigate which approaches offer the most timely, cost-effective, high quality and child and family friendly solutions.

The Autism Diagnosis Pathway Study logo
The Autism Diagnosis Pathway Study

Publications

A Realist Evaluation of Autism ServiCe Delivery (RE-ASCeD): Which diagnostic pathways work best, for whom and in what context? Findings from a rapid realist review

V Abrahamson, W Zhang, PM Wilson, W Farr, I Male, V Reddy, J Parr, A Peckham. BMJ Open (2020)

Should clinical services for children with possible ADHD, autism or related conditions be delivered in an integrated neurodevelopmental pathway?

I Male, W Farr, V Reddy - Integrated Healthcare Journal 2 (1), e000037 (2020)

How much does it cost to assess a child for possible Autism Spectrum Disorder in the UK National Health Service: An Observational Study

I Male et al. Proceedings of the 31st annual meeting of the European Academy of Childhood Disability (2019)

Cost of assessing a child for possible autism spectrum disorder? An observational study of current practice in child development centres in the UK

M Galliver, E Gowling, W Farr, A Gain, I Male - BMJ paediatrics open 1 (2017)

An observational study of individual child journeys through autism diagnostic pathways, and associated costs, in the UK National Health Service

Male I, Farr W, Bremner S, Gage H, Williams P, Gowling E, Honey E, Gain A and Parr J - Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences (2023)

Integrated care for autism assessment, diagnosis and intervention

Male I et al - Paediatrics and Child Health (2023)

Page last reviewed: 20 February 2024
Next review due: 20 August 2024