|
Current Age (Range: 3.3–12.6 years)
| | |
|
• < 24 months
|
0
|
0
|
|
• 2–5 years
|
16
|
33.3
|
|
• > 5 years
|
32
|
66.7
|
|
Race
| | |
|
• Malay
|
34
|
70.8
|
|
• Chinese
|
9
|
18.8
|
|
• Indian
|
5
|
10.4
|
|
Age first suspected
| | |
|
• < 24 months
|
8
|
16.7
|
|
• 2–5 years
|
35
|
72.9
|
|
• > 5 years
|
5
|
10.4
|
|
Age diagnosed
| | |
|
• < 24 months
|
3
|
6.3
|
|
• 2–5 years
|
31
|
64.5
|
|
• > 5 years
|
14
|
29.2
|
|
*Person who first raised the suspicion
| | |
|
• Parent
|
33
|
63.5
|
|
• Relative
|
4
|
7.7
|
|
• Teacher
|
5
|
9.6
|
|
• Family Friend
|
4
|
7.7
|
|
• Nurse
|
2
|
3.8
|
|
• Doctor
|
4
|
7.7
|
|
Siblings
| | |
|
• Only Child
|
5
|
10.4
|
|
• 1 sibling
|
3
|
6.3
|
|
• > 1 siblings
|
40
|
83.3
|
|
Parent’s household income (RM)
| | |
|
• Low (< 3000)
|
23
|
47.9
|
|
• Middle (3001–10,000)
|
19
|
39.6
|
|
• High (> 10,000)
|
3
|
6.3
|
|
Parent’s highest education level
| | |
|
• Never attended formal education
|
0
|
0
|
|
• Primary school
|
1
|
2.1
|
|
• Secondary school
|
12
|
25.0
|
|
• College
|
14
|
29.2
|
|
• University
|
15
|
31.3
|
|
• Post graduate
|
6
|
12.5
|
|
Risk Factors
| | |
|
• None
|
37
|
74.0
|
|
• Prematurity
|
2
|
4.0
|
|
• Family history of ASD
|
10
|
20.0
|
|
• Others
|
1
|
2.0
|
|
Body Mass Index (BMI)
| | |
|
• Underweight
|
6
|
12.5
|
|
• Normal
|
34
|
70.8
|
|
• Overweight/Obese
|
8
|
16.7
|
|
Co-morbid Conditions*
| | |
|
• None
|
21
|
42.0
|
|
• Global development delay/Intellectual disability
|
11
|
22.0
|
|
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
|
10
|
20.0
|
|
• Sleep issues
|
4
|
8.0
|
|
• Epilepsy
|
1
|
2.0
|
|
• Gastrointestinal issues
|
1
|
2.0
|
|
• Anxiety
|
1
|
2.0
|
|
• Others
|
1
|
2.0
|
|
Therapy at Private centers (n = 16)*
| | |
|
• Early Intervention Programme/ Occupational therapy
|
15
|
31.3
|
|
• Applied Behavioral Analysis
|
1
|
2.1
|
|
• Tuition (One to one)
|
1
|
2.1
|
|
• Swimming class
|
1
|
2.1
|
|
• Art class
|
1
|
2.1
|
|
Parental Perception of the Causes of ASD*
| | |
|
• Unknown/ Genetic
|
39
|
73.6
|
|
• Medical related causes
|
4
|
7.5
|
|
• Non-medical related causes
|
10
|
18.9
|
|
Number of Complementary Health Approaches Practiced
| | |
|
• None
|
31
|
64.6
|
|
• 1
|
10
|
20.8
|
|
• 2 or more
|
7
|
14.6
|
