Browsing by Author "Kessel, Robin van"

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    Bayesian prevalence of autism and unmet special education needs in Chile in a sample of three million school-age children
    (2025) Román Urrestarazú, Andrés; Tyson, Adele; Gatica Bahamondes, Gabriel Guillermo; Kessel, Robin van; Yang, Justin; Mansilla, Carola; Zúñiga, Isabel; Méndez-Fadol, Alejandra; Larraín, Blanca; García, Ricardo; Koch, Damaris; Ford, Tamsin; Groot, Wim; Pavlova, Milena; Czabanowska, Katarzyna
    Autism spectrum disorder prevalence estimates in Latin America have been limited by a lack of reliable data. This cohort study aimed to estimate autism spectrum disorder prevalence in Chile by linking school registries with electronic health records. Probabilistic data linking was conducted between the 2021 Chilean school registry and 2003−2015 health records from the Araucania Sur Health Service. Bayesian prevalence estimation was used, considering variables such as age, sex, immigration status, ethnicity and rurality. Autism spectrum disorder prevalence across 29 health services was analysed for students aged 6 to 18 years. Regression models assessed unmet needs for special education services, validated using Araucania Sur Health Service health records. The study included 3,056,306 pupils (51.34% boys; mean age 11.6 years), with 14,549 having autism spectrum disorder. The national standardized school prevalence was 0.46%. Boys had 6 times higher odds of receiving special education services support than girls. In Araucania Sur Health Service, the adjusted clinical prevalence from health records was 1.22%. The Bayesian projected national autism spectrum disorder prevalence was 1.31%. This study, the largest of its kind in Latin America, revealed a higher autism spectrum disorder prevalence than previously reported, with one in 76 children affected. Disparities were observed across sex, ethnicity and health services.
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    COVID-19, Autism, and Isolation: Good Practices for Continuity of Care During the Pandemic
    (2025) Cuesta Gómez, José L.; Ruggieri, Víctor; Roman Urrestarazu, Andrés; Kessel, Robin van; Gatica Bahamondes, Gabriel Guillermo
    The COVID-19 pandemic, and particularly the associated conditions of isola-tion, has detrimental effects on the mental health of the population that arenot yet fully understood. Variables such as individual stress, anxiety, andtolerance to uncertainty may play a role in the ability of individuals to adaptto the isolation situation. In this context, it is necessary to pay attention topopulation groups that present difficulties in adapting to this situation ofuncertainty, such as people with autism. This narrative review of the evi-dence has as objectives to explore (1) the effect that the autism communityhas experienced as a result of the lockdown and isolation due to COVID-19;and (2) opportunities for health, educational, and social services providers tosupport people with autism and their families in isolation in an attempt toensure that specialized interventions continue as much as possible. We mapsuggestions regarding information delivery, time management at home,recognition and emotional expression, and some suggestions to maintainsupport with service providers