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Disparities in diagnosis and access to health services for children with autism: data from the National Survey of Children's Health.
- Source :
-
Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP [J Dev Behav Pediatr] 2008 Jun; Vol. 29 (3), pp. 152-60. - Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- Objective: Earlier assessment of autism improves outcomes. In addition, children with autism have significant need for medical care. Therefore, identification of factors associated with delays in the early diagnosis of autism and with decreased access to care has the potential to lead to interventions that will improve health and well-being. The aim of this study was to determine whether differences occur in the age-specific prevalence of autism or in access to health care in children of traditionally underserved populations.<br />Method: Data from the National Survey of Children's Health of 2003/2004 were used. Diagnosis of autism and its severity were based on parental report.<br />Results: The prevalence of autism was lower for Latinos (26/10,000) than for non-Latinos (51/10,000). Whites and blacks had comparable rates. The lowest preschool rate of autism (16/10,000) occurred in poor children. Latinos and poor families rated their children's autism as more severe. Being black, Latino, or poor was associated with decreased access to services, while having Medicaid or State Children's Health Insurance Program was linked with better access to some services.<br />Conclusions: Disparities in the prevalence and parent-reported severity of autism and in access to health care were found for children with autism. Programs for children in general (e.g., universal screening for autism) and programs that target traditionally underserved groups of children, their families, and their health care providers should be tested and implemented to optimize case finding of children with autism and to eliminate disparities in access to care and to early intervention.
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Age Factors
Autistic Disorder ethnology
Black People psychology
Black People statistics & numerical data
Child
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Early Diagnosis
Female
Health Services Needs and Demand statistics & numerical data
Health Services Research statistics & numerical data
Health Surveys
Hispanic or Latino psychology
Hispanic or Latino statistics & numerical data
Humans
Incidence
Male
Mass Screening statistics & numerical data
Medicaid statistics & numerical data
Poverty psychology
Poverty statistics & numerical data
State Health Plans statistics & numerical data
United States
White People psychology
White People statistics & numerical data
Black or African American
Autistic Disorder diagnosis
Autistic Disorder epidemiology
Health Services Accessibility statistics & numerical data
Healthcare Disparities statistics & numerical data
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0196-206X
- Volume :
- 29
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 18349708
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0b013e318165c7a0