Migration Status and Age at Assessment for Suspected Autism Spectrum Disorder at Two Specialist Centres in Northern Italy

Background: Migration has increasingly been recognised as an environmental factor potentially affecting the development and course of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Little is known about the impact of migration status on the timing of access to specialist assessment of young immigrants with ASD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review to investigate the relationship between migration status of 184 children with ASD (138 males, 75.0%) and their age at first medical appointment for suspected ASD at two specialist centres in Northern Italy. Results: According to migration status, 99 individuals were classed as immigrant (74 males, 74.7%) and 85 as non-immigrant (64 males, 75.3%). Our findings confirmed the effect of migration status on the age at first medical appointment for suspected ASD, with immigrants accessing specialist assessment at a significantly earlier age compared to non-immigrants (F = 3.97; p = 0.048). The lower prevalence of high-functioning ASD in immigrants (Χ2 = 16.32; p < 0.001), likely related to environmental and cultural factors, could be responsible for their earlier age at first medical appointment. Conclusions: The relationship between migration status and ASD should be the focus of further research, in order to facilitate the development of more personalised care pathways for childhood ASD in different clinical populations.