Sociodemographic, clinical, and global functioning vulnerabilities in Mexican children and adolescents with and without autism spectrum disorders

Research indicates that sociodemographic, clinical, and global functioning are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To measure and compare sociodemographic, clinical, and global functioning vulnerability profiles of a sample of Mexican children and adolescents with and without ASD. The study was done at two outpatient institutions in Mexico City. The assessment used semi-structured interviews with rating scales, and t-tests and chi-squared (χ²) tests were run to evaluate group comparisons. A latent class analysis was executed to generate probabilistic vulnerability profiles. A total of 103 participants were recruited, 22 with ASD (21.3%, mean age 12.8 ± 3.17, 77.27% male). Those without ASD showed a significantly special education placement (χ² = 3.91, p = 0.048), had oppositional and defiant symptoms (t = 3.32, p = 0.001), and lower global functioning as measured by the Children's Global Assessment Scale (t = 11.78; p = 0.001) and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (t = -4.10; p = 0.001). Vulnerability was identified in a subgroup of participants with ASD due to increased psychosocial and psychopathological symptoms and lower global functionality. Mexican children and adolescents with ASD experience special education placement and impaired global functioning.