ORIGINAL ARtIcLecontribute to both underdiagnosis and delayed engagement with appropriate healthcare services.Delayed diagnosis continues to be a major challenge.Previous research has highlighted a substantial gap between the initial recognition of symptoms and the initiation of ASD-specific interventions, with delays of over 1 year reported in some settings. 8,9 IntroductIonAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, along with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. 1 Beyond its impact on the affected individual, ASD imposes a substantial psychological, social, and economic burden on families, with parents often experiencing reduced quality of life and increased psychological distress. 2Globally, ASD affects 1 in 100 children, 3 while in India, the prevalence of ASD has been found to be 0.11% (95% CI: 0.01-0.20) in children aged 1-18 years in rural settings and 0.09% (95% CI: 0.02-0.16) in children aged 0-15 years in urban settings. 4Although these figures may underestimate the true burden because of underdiagnosis, they highlight the growing public health importance of ASD in low-and middle-income countries.The clinical features of ASD emerge early in life, with recognizable signs evident by 18-24 months of age. 1,3Early indicators may include reduced eye contact, lack of shared attention, limited social reciprocity, and delayed communication.Early recognition of these signs allows for the timely initiation of evidence-based interventions, which can significantly improve developmental outcomes and reduce long-term functional difficulties.Parents play a central role in this process, as they are often the first to notice developmental concerns and seek appropriate help. 5However, limited knowledge and misconceptions about ASD can lead to delays in diagnosis and intervention.In several settings, beliefs attributing symptoms to supernatural causes, 6 reliance on nonmedical treatment approaches, and limited awareness of early symptoms have been reported. 7Such misconceptions may
Kumari et al. (Tue,) studied this question.