Adverse Childhood Experiences Are Associated with Unmet Healthcare Needs among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

To explore associations between level of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and unmet healthcare needs among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using a population-based sample. Cross-sectional data from the 2011-2012 National Survey of Child Health were analyzed to estimate prevalence of unmet healthcare needs among children with ASD, aged 2-17 years (ASD = 1624; estimated population = 1 174 871). Multivariate Poisson and logistic regression models were used to estimate the relationship between reported ACEs and unmet healthcare needs among children with ASD. After we adjusted for all other variables, children with ASD who experienced 1-2 ACEs and 3+ ACEs were associated with 1.78 (P < .05) and 2.53 (P < .01) times the incidence rate of unmet healthcare needs in comparison with children without ACEs. Compared with children who experienced 0 ACEs, the adjusted odds of any unmet healthcare need were 2.34 (P < .01) and 2.66 (P < .01) for children with 1-2 ACEs and 3 + ACEs, respectively. Although limited to cross-sectional data, our study provides compelling evidence on the link between ACEs and unmet healthcare needs among children with ASD. It advances understanding of risk factors in the child and community context that contribute to health disparities and negatively impact healthcare access and use in this population.

Berg KL ，Shiu CS ，Feinstein RT ，Msall ME ，Acharya K ... -  《-》

Unmet Need for Therapy Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results from the 2005-2006 and 2009-2010 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs.

Benevides TW ，Carretta HJ ，Lane SJ 《-》

Therapy access among children with autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder: a population-based study.

This study examined cross-sectional population-based rates in reported need and unmet need for occupational, physical, and speech therapy services in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared with children with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and cerebral palsy (CP). The 2005-2006 and 2009-2010 (USA) National Survey of Children with Special Health Care data sets were used to compare therapy need and unmet need among children younger than 18 years with ASD (n=5178), ADHD (n=20 566), and CP (n=1183). Bivariate approaches and multivariate logistic regression using imputed data were used to identify associations between child and family characteristics, and access to therapy services. After adjusting for other variables, children with ASD had a significantly greater likelihood of having an unmet therapy need compared with children with ADHD (odds ratio [OR] 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36-2.03), but a similar unmet need as children with CP (OR 1.30, 95% CI 0.97-1.74). Factors associated with unmet need included survey year, younger child age, no health insurance, and increased functional and behavioral difficulties. Children in our sample had greater unmet therapy needs in 2009 than in 2005. Caregiver-reported reasons for unmet need included cost and school resources. Research examining future trends in therapy access are warranted for children with ASD and CP. Children with complex diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy had reported unmet need for therapy services. High costs of therapy were the primary reported reason contributing to reduced access among children.

Benevides TW ，Carretta HJ ，Ivey CK ，Lane SJ ... -  《-》

A national profile of the health care experiences and family impact of autism spectrum disorder among children in the United States, 2005-2006.

Kogan MD ，Strickland BB ，Blumberg SJ ，Singh GK ，Perrin JM ，van Dyck PC ... -  《-》

Disparities in adversity among children with autism spectrum disorder: a population-based study.

People with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) experience disparities in health. An important but overlooked risk factor for health disparities in the ASD population is adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of ACEs among families of children with and without ASD, using a population-based sample. Data from the 2011 to 2012 National Survey of Child Health were analyzed to estimate prevalence of ACEs among families of children with and without ASD, age 3 to 17 years (ASD=1611; estimated population=1 165 34). The child's ASD status was obtained from parent report; ACEs were assessed with the modified Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale. Bivariate and multinomial logistic regression analyses were utilized to investigate the relationship between ACEs and childhood ASD status. ASD status among children was significantly and independently associated with higher probability of reporting one to three ACEs (adjusted relative risk ratio [aRRR] 1.53; 95% CI: 1.16-2.0; p<0.010) and four or more ACEs (aRRR 1.99; 95% CI: 1.35-2.91; p<0.010). Children with ASD may experience a greater number of family and neighborhood adversities, potentially compromising their chances for optimal physical and behavioral health outcomes. Assessment and reduction of ACEs among families of young people with ASD could potentially contribute to the reduction of population health disparities.

Berg KL ，Shiu CS ，Acharya K ，Stolbach BC ，Msall ME ... -  《-》