Kogan MD, Strickland BB, Blumberg SJ, et al. 2008. A national profile of the
health care experiences and family impact of autism spectrum disorder among
children in the United States, 2005-2006. Pediatrics 122(6):e1149-e1158.
Abstract available at:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/122/6/e1149.
"This study indicates that children with ASD [autism spectrum disorder]
present significant challenges to the current health care system," state the
authors of an article published in the December 2008 issue of Pediatrics.
ASD is a cluster of lifelong neurodevelopmental disorders composed of
autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder,
not otherwise specified. These disorders are marked by significant
qualitative limitations in social interactions, verbal and nonverbal
communication, and restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of
behavior, interests, and activities. Children and adolescents with ASD also
have higher rates of several comorbidities. In the study described in this
article, the authors used data from the 2005-2006 National Survey of
Children with Special Health Care Needs (NS-CSHCN) to examine impacts on
families of children and adolescents with ASD and to investigate whether
having access to a medical home is associated with less impact on the
family.
The authors found that:
* The weighted prevalence of children and adolescents with special health
care needs and ASD was 86 per 10,000.
* Compared with children and adolescents with other emotional,
developmental, or behavioral (EDB) problems, those with ASD were more likely
to have unmet needs for specific health care services and family support
services, and their families were less likely to be satisfied with care.
* The financial and time impacts on the family from ASD seemed to be
significantly greater than the impact from other EDB problems or other
special health care needs.
* Relative to children and adolescents with special health care needs
without ASD, those with ASD were less likely to have a medical home (48% and
26.5%, respectively).
* Having a medical home seemed to significantly lessen the financial impacts
for families of children or adolescents with ASD.
More information is available from the following MCH Library
resources:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders at
http://www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_autism.html
- Children and Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs at
http://www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_CSHCN.html
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