Health Services Utilization Among Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Janet Cummings, Emory University; Frances L. Lynch, Kaiser Permanente; Kristal C. Rust, Kaiser Permanente; Karen J. Coleman, Kaiser Permanente; Jeanne M. Madden, Northeastern University; Ashli A. Owen-Smith, Georgia State University; Vincent M. Yau, Kaiser Permanente; Yinge Qian, Kaiser Permanente; Kathryn A. Pearson, Kaiser Permanente; Phillip M. Crawford, Kaiser Permanente; Maria L. Massolo, Kaiser Permanente; Virginia P. Quinn, Kaiser Permanente; Lisa A. Croen, Kaiser Permanente
• Language: English
• Date: 2016-03-01
• Publisher: Springer Verlag (Germany)
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2634-z
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
• ISSN: 0162-3257
• Volume: 46
• Issue: 3
• Start Page: 910
• End Page: 920
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (grants: U19MH092201, K01MH095823)
• Keywords: Social Sciences; POPULATION; PREVENTIVE CARE; Health care utilization; Adolescents; AGE; EXPENDITURES; Preventive services; COMORBIDITY; Psychology, Developmental; Autism spectrum disorders; CONFIRMED INFLUENZA; DISEASE; CARE UTILIZATION; Psychology; ILLNESS; VACCINE; Children
• Research Categories: Psychology, Behavioral; Health Sciences, Health Care Management

Abstract

Using data from multiple health systems (2009–2010) and the largest sample to date, this study compares health services use among youth with and without an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—including preventive services not previously studied. To examine these differences, we estimated logistic and count data models, controlling for demographic characteristics, comorbid physical health, and mental health conditions. Results indicated that youth with an ASD had greater health care use in many categories, but were less likely to receive important preventive services including flu shots and other vaccinations. An improved understanding of the overall patterns of health care use among this population could enable health systems to facilitate the receipt of appropriate and effective health care.