Researcher ORCID Identifier

0009-0000-1287-7393

Graduation Year

2024

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Psychology

Reader 1

Theodore Bartholomew

Reader 2

Heejung Park

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Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Rights Information

2024 Sara P Lougy

Abstract

Extensive research exploring the relationship between the social position factors of children and their sm Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis age has yielded mixed results. Dated studies in the United States suggest ASD is equally prevalent across all races and has increased prevalence among high socioeconomic status (SES) communities. This proposed study will determine whether disparities still exist and if they affect diagnosis age in Los Angeles County. The severity of ASD symptoms serves as both a control variable that impacts the age at which a diagnosis occurs and an outcome variable, determining whether the age of diagnosis influences current status. This study aims to better understand how individual factors impact the age of ASD diagnosis in Los Angeles County. During the study, researchers will survey and observe 50 families from Los Angeles County. Based on past research, the study predicts that children of color from lower-SES backgrounds have reportedly more severe symptoms, but get diagnosed later on average than white children from higher-SES backgrounds with similar symptoms. If supported, these results reveal systemic underdiagnosis of children of color from lower-income households and delayed access to services.

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