Correlates of early assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders in Lebanon

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders who receive early therapeutic interventions present a better developmental pathway than children who do not. Early assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders is the first step in this process. This study aims at describing the variables that are in play in the first assessment of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual developmental disorders (IDD) in a mental health clinic in Beirut Lebanon. A total of 209 charts covering a period of two years were analysed. Demographic and clinical variables influencing early assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders were found similar to those identified in the international literature with one critical exception, the age at assessment. The average age for diagnosing ASD was four years and seven months and seven years and five months for diagnosing IDD. This finding supports the need for developing a comprehensive national strategy for the early identification of neurodevelopmental disorders.