Abstract
In 2021, the Global Burden of Disease estimated 61.82 million people, or 1in 127 persons in the world, had autism spectrum disorders (ASD), recognizing that children and males were more likely to be diagnosed than adults and females (Liu et al., 2026; World Health Organization, 2025). Autism spectrum disorders are a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by abnormal development in social interactions, communication, behaviors, and repetitive interests (World Health Organization, 2025; World Health Organization, 2014, p. 2). Variance in diagnosis and access to necessary services for intervention (speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, etc.) exists and may be greater where professional shortages and systemic barriers impede timely developmental screenings and referrals. Lifetime cost per person with ASD were estimated to range from $1.2 million to $2.4 million in studies in the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and the United States of America depending on the severity of the disability (World Health Organization, 2014, p.2). Delays in diagnosis and access to services can lead to missed or insufficient early intervention during critical developmental years. In this presentation, opportunities to increase impact are discussed, including geographic access, per-capita impact, family-unit financial impact, and access to timely diagnosis. Additionally, an advocacy action plan was developed centered on the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 1) No Poverty, 3) Good Health and Well-Being, 4) Quality Education, and 10) Reduce Inequalities. Key partnerships identified to support the implementation of the advocacy plan included the member states' health ministries, Autism Speaks, the South Asia Autism Network, and the South-East Asia European Network. Lastly, public education, campaign methodology, campaign evaluation, and metrics were discussed.
Sigma Membership
Pi at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document, Video Recording
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Autism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Disorders, Developmental Disabilities, Pediatric Disabilities, Children with Disabilities, Delayed Diagnosis, Missed Diagnosis
Advisor
Janice Hawkins
Second Advisor
Charlotte McArdle
Recommended Citation
Carter, Alita-Geri K., "Delayed or Missed Diagnosis and Delayed Service Delivery for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)" (2026). Global Advocacy. 25.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/ga_series/25
Loading...
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Faculty/Mentor Approved: Sigma Academy Participant Poster
Acquisition
Self-submission
Date of Issue
2026-09-14
Full Text of Presentation
wf_yes
Description
Within this presentation, I discuss a plan to establish a systemic global advocacy campaign that increases access to healthcare to support ASD diagnosis and mitigate severe delays in intervention services for children aged 3–17.