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Abstract

Background. Mental health special services for children and adolescents are inadequate in Iraq. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing in prevalence worldwide with no study illustrating the incidence and prevalence of ASD in Iraq. More information is needed regarding autism in Iraq, the most presenting symptoms which cause the referral and the way of referral to the child and adolescent mental health services to improve these services and for a better outcome. Method by taking all the children with a diagnosis of ASD who visited the child and adolescent outpatient mental health center at the children welfare hospital coming from different Iraqi areas during ten months period from January to October 2020. A total of 292 children, a full psychiatric history and examination were done, and the diagnosis was made using DSM5 criteria and the use of childhood autism rating scale CARS. Information including the source of referral to the child and adolescent mental health service and the most presenting symptoms were also obtained Result boys (77.4%) were more than girls (22.6%). regarding the severity, (56.8%) were of a mild type. Speech problems were the most presenting symptom in (43.5%) of them. Being a boy or girl was significantly associated with the most presenting symptom and with the source of referral. Also, there was a significant association between age and the severity of the symptoms. Most of the referral was by the family member advice in (82.5%).Conclusion families were the most referral source to the child and adolescent mental health center. Speech problems were the most presenting symptoms which lead to referral. Psycho educational programs are needed for the health workers including the pediatricians and audiologists about the autism spectrum disorder for early detection and better outcome.

DOI

10.52573/ipmj.2024.138198

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