Characterization of Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Clinic: Descriptive Study

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.42.01.001.246

Keywords:

autism spectrum disorder, neurodevelopmental disorders, comorbidity, severity of illness index

Abstract

Objetive: To describe the demographic, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics of children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder who sought consultation at a clinic in Medellin during the period from 2011 to 2021.

Materials and methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study, in which underage patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder were evaluated according to DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria. Psychiatric, neuropediatric, and human genetics medical records were reviewed to collect epidemiological and clinical variables.

Results: This study included 140 patients, the majority of whom were male            (81.4%), with a mean age of 7.8 years. The most frequent signs were alterations in social interaction (n = 86, 61.4%), repetitive behaviors (n=83, 59.3%), and communication difficulties (n = 78, 55.7%). The most common degrees of severity were mild (n = 60, 42.9%) and moderate (n = 52, 37.1%). Intellectual disability was the most common family history (n = 21, 15%), as well as the most frequent comorbidity  (n = 34, 24.3%).

Conversely, the most frequent treatments were the use of antipsychotics (n = 58, 41.4%) and occupational therapy (n = 60, 42.9%).

Conclusions: The clinical and epidemiological characteristics observed in these minors are similar to those reported worldwide. Most patients suffered from mild to moderate disorders and were treated with both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies.

Author Biographies

  • Carmenza Ricardo-Ramírez, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín (Colombia)

    Especialista en Psiquiatría. Docente, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín (Colombia). carmenza.ricardo@upb.edu.co. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8038-9858

  • Catalina Aguilar-Arias, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín (Colombia)

    Estudiante. Miembro, Semillero de Investigación (SIFAM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín (Colombia). catalina.aguilara@upb.edu.co. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5651-5383

  • María De la Torre-Bustamante, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia.

    Estudiante. Miembro del SIFAM. mariam.de@upb.edu.co. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4758-6307

  • Luisa García-Molina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín (Colombia)

    Estudiante. Miembro del SIFAM. luisa.garcia@upb.edu.co. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3479-4622

  • Carlos Gaviria-Zapata, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín (Colombia)

    Estudiante. Miembro del SIFAM. carlos.gaviriaz@upb.edu.co. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1997-0261

  • Manuela Urbáez-Olivella, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín (Colombia)

    Estudiante. Miembro del SIFAM. manuela.urbaez@upb.edu.co. https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8015-6633

  • Libia María Rodríguez Padilla, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín (Colombia)

    7 Magíster en Epidemiología. Docente, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín (Colombia). libia.rodriguez@upb.edu.co. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7294-3735

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Published

2026-01-28

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

How to Cite

Characterization of Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Clinic: Descriptive Study. (2026). SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL SALUD UNINORTE, 42(1), 5-20. https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.42.01.001.246

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