Factors Associated with Symptom Severity and Treatment Outcomes in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: At the Child Development Clinic, Prasat Hospital, Surin Province

Abstract

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with continuously increasing global prevalence. The World Health Organization reports that 1 in 100 children are diagnosed with autism worldwide. In Thailand, approximately 1 in 161 children are affected by autism. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for long-term outcomes. However, significant variability exists in symptom severity and treatment response among children with ASD, particularly in community hospital settings with limited resources and personnel. Most previous studies have focused on large urban hospitals, creating a knowledge gap regarding community hospitals that serve the majority of children with ASD in the country.
Objective: To investigate the factors associated with symptom severity and treatment outcomes in pediatric patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the Child Development Clinic, Prasat Hospital, Surin Province
Methods: This retrospective descriptive study reviewed medical records of 78 children aged 1-15 years diagnosed with ASD who received continuous treatment for at least one year at the Child Development Clinic, Prasat Hospital, Surin Province, between 2014 and 2025. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and Independent t-test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: The majority of subjects were male (85.9%). Significant factors associated with symptom severity included age at treatment initiation, where older children age over 6 years tended to exhibit higher severity (p = 0.022), Regarding treatment outcomes, treatment adherence (p = 0.012) and follow-up consistency (p = 0.044) were significantly associated with faster clinical improvement.
Conclusions: Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment, combined with consistent and continuous care, are critical factors in reducing disease severity and enhancing treatment outcomes throughout all stages of life. The findings of this study underscore the significance of proactive screening systems and family engagement in maintaining ongoing community-level care.