Autism diagnoses more common in disadvantaged, immigrant families - report

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is more commonly diagnosed in children from socioeconomically disadvantaged and immigrant families, according to a study of over 2.3 million children in Canada. The research highlights increasing disparities in ASD diagnosis rates, with higher prevalence among children from deprived and immigrant backgrounds, attributed to factors like underdiagnosis, clinician bias, and evolving diagnostic practices. The study also links higher ASD rates to maternal health factors such as diabetes, severe pregnancy complications, and prematurity, which are more common in disadvantaged communities.

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All articles from 9 October 2026. Summaries are AI-generated and may contain errors; the linked article is the authority.