Treatment Utilization Trajectories among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Differences by Race-Ethnicity and Neighborhood.

Treatment Utilization Trajectories among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Differences by Race-Ethnicity and Neighborhood.
J Autism Dev Disord. 2019 Jan 30;:
Authors: Yingling ME, Bell BA, Hock RM
Abstract
Health coverage of early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) for children with autism spectrum disorder is expanding. Yet there is no longitudinal research on patterns of or inequities in utilization of EIBI. We integrated state administrative records with Medicaid and Census data for children enrolled in an EIBI Medicaid waiver (N = 730) to identify and describe the type and prevalence of treatment utilization trajectories, and to examine the association between trajectory types and (a) child race-ethnicity and (b) neighborhood racial composition, poverty, affluence, and urbanicity. We identified four utilization trajectories (Low, Low-Moderate, Moderate, and High users). Race-ethnicity and neighborhood affluence were associated with trajectory membership. As coverage expands, policy makers should consider strategies to improve overall treatment utilization and enhance equity.
PMID: 30701434 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - January 30, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Yingling ME, Bell BA, Hock RM Tags: J Autism Dev Disord Source Type: research