Abstract
Children in low-income families are at risk for delayed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The cascade-of-care model, which examines steps of care for quality and efficacy, can identify lesions in the process for evaluation and diagnosis for children at risk for ASD. Little is known about predictors that influence key steps in this process. We performed a retrospective chart review of 110 children under age five years from an academic medical center with social communication concerns. We assessed predictors of age of referral for ASD diagnostic evaluation, time to diagnosis, and likelihood of diagnostic completion. Children with continuity of primary care were referred at an earlier age than those receiving primary care at multiple centers. Compared with children with missed visits, children attending all well-child visits had a shorter median time to diagnosis. These findings illustrate a need for primary medical homes to facilitate early and timely ASD evaluations.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1359-1371 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Journal of health care for the poor and underserved |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 2021 |
Keywords
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Children
- Diagnostic resolution
- Low income
- Primary care
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health