Current approaches to early detection of autism spectrum disorder in children (a literature review)

The mean age at diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to meta-analytic studies, ranges from 2.7 to 7.2 years. This systematic review analyzes clinical, social, and environmental determinants associated with variability in the age of ASD diagnosis. A search of electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, Cochrane) using predefined inclusion criteria (n = 50 relevant publications from 21 countries, publication period: 1987–2023, search cutoff date: December 31, 2024) has revealed that earlier diagnosis is significantly correlated with the presence of marked impairments in social communication and comorbid intellectual disabilities. The influence of gender, ethnocultural factors, parental education level, and family socioeconomic status on diagnostic timing remains statistically inconclusive (p > 0.05 in most studies).