Table 1 Characteristics of Parents and their Children with ASD
N = 48 | n | % |
|---|---|---|
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 |