Detailed contribution information
| Contribution title | 3146 - Analysis of adolescent patients referred to psychological evaluations for Autism spectrum disorder |
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| Contribution code | PS03-30 (P) |
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| Form of presentation | Poster |
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| Abstract |
In Slovenia for the last decade there is a good increase in recognizing and treatment of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), mostly in children. But we have to acknowledge that there are still many adolescents and adults who were not recognized and probably treated under different diagnosis or not treated at all. Under these conditions the comorbidity increases, which complicates late diagnosis of ASD. And correct diagnosis is essential for the proper treatment. At University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, at the department for Adolescent Psychiatry we analyzed how many adolescents, at first admission, from 2014 to 2016, were referred for specialized psychological evaluation for ASD. ADOS and other psychological test were used. We looked at data of 21 patients who were psychologically evaluated and come to some interesting conclusions. 30% of them were suspected in their childhood for having ASD or even receive diagnosis but during hospitalization this diagnosis was dismissed. All of these patients were initially diagnosed as Personality disorders or Emotional disorders specific to childhood. This data suggest that of course there are some common (or overlapping) symptoms in ASD and Personality disorders (PD). It suggests that symptoms of PD are also developmental and pervasive, something that was traditionally reserved for diagnosis under F 80-89. To analyze which symptoms overlapped and differed under the same category (affect, conduct, socialization, cognition), the Latent Class Analysis was applied. 14% of referred patients were recognized as having ASD and interestingly were all admitted to clinic under diagnosis of psychosis spectrum (F20-29). All of the patients who came to specialized psychological evaluation for ASD which was not confirmed were referred because of the developmental idiosyncrasies, that where recognized by their parents. But the few in whom the diagnosis was confirmed the referral was made due to problems with socialization that were observed by professionals during hospitalization. Although the sample was modest, some considerations about overlapping developmental symptoms were made, which are important to recognize and differentiate for the right diagnosis. Within the next years we plan to use genetic analysis that may offer some more responses to dilemmas we encountered. |