To provide a population-based estimate of ASD prevalence among Russian elementary school children and examine barriers to diagnosis and treatment.
Key Findings:
Estimated ASD prevalence was 22.2 per 1,000 children, significantly higher than the official Russian statistic of 0.41 per 1,000.
ASD was more frequently identified in special education and resource classes compared to general education settings.
Bayesian sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of prevalence estimates.
Interpretation:
The findings indicate that ASD prevalence in Russia is considerably underestimated by administrative data, highlighting systemic barriers to diagnosis and treatment.
Limitations:
Limited participation rate may affect the generalizability of the findings.
Potential biases in self-reporting and screening tools.
Conclusion:
Addressing systemic barriers is essential for improving early detection and service provision for ASD in Russia.
by Oksana I. Talantseva, Raisa S. Romanova, Julia E. Kuznetsova, Viktoria A. Manasevich, Katerina V. Lind, Mariia A. Ivashchenko, Julia Benoit, Elena L. Grigorenko
