BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 

• Kogan et al. (Pediatrics, 2018) examined 
  • Prevalence of parent-reported autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis among US children aged 3 to 17 years 
  • Treatment and health care experiences of ASD patients

METHODS: 

• A nationally representative survey (2016) 
  • National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) 
  • Health and well-being data collected on children 0 to 17 years 
• Parent-reported information on whether children  
  • Ever received an ASD diagnosis by a care provider 
  • Current ASD status 
  • Health care use 
  • Access and challenges 
  • Methods of treatment 
• Outcomes 
  • Weighted prevalence of ASD | Comparison of health care experiences of children with ASD vs other children | Factors associated with increased likelihood of medication and behavioral treatment

RESULTS: 

• Parents of approximately 1.5 million US children  
  • 2.50% reported that their child had ‘ever received’ an ASD diagnosis and currently had the condition 
• Significant variables (adjusted and unadjusted)  
  • Single mothers vs 2 parent/ married: ASD prevalence was 47% higher  
  • Households <100% of the federal poverty level vs ≥400% of the FPL: ASD prevalence was 2.06 times as high  
  • Preterm vs term: ASD prevalence was 71% higher 
  • US-born vs foreign-born children: ASD Prevalence was 2.34 times as high  
• Children with parent-reported ASD diagnosis were more likely to have 
  • Greater health care needs and difficulties accessing health care than children with other emotional/ behavioral issues and children without these conditions 
• Of children with current ASD 
  • 27% were taking medication for ASD-related symptoms 
  • 64% received behavioral treatments in the last 12 months 
• Variations were observed based on socio-demographic characteristics and co-occurring conditions

CONCLUSION: 

• US children with a parent-reported ASD diagnosis is 1 in 40 
• Compared to previous studies, there was less variation based on age, race and/or ethnicity, or socioeconomic groups  
• Rates of ASD-specific treatment usage vary depending on children’s sociodemographic and co-occurring conditions

Learn More – Primary Sources: 

The Prevalence of Parent-Reported Autism Spectrum Disorder Among US Children

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