One-fourth of children under age 8 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have not received a diagnosis, and this under diagnosis is worse among black and Hispanic children, according to a study in Autism Research. Researchers analyzed the school and medical records of 266,000 children in 11 U.S. states who were 8 years old in 2014. They found that of 4,498 children whose records indicated they had symptoms meeting diagnostic criteria for ASD, 25% were not given a formal diagnosis and more than half of those without a diagnosis did not receive ASD services in school. Nonwhite children were less likely to receive a diagnosis, as were those whose symptoms were identified at a later age and those who did not have other developmental issues. The researchers point to the need for children with ASD to be given a formal diagnosis in order to receive appropriate services. (Monitor on Psychology)

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