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Marquis S, Lunsky Y, McGrail KM, Baumbusch J. Population Level Mental Health Diagnoses for Youth with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Compared to Youth without Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2024; 52:1147-1156. [PMID: 38329685 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-024-01174-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
There is evidence in the literature that youth with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) experience mental health issues to a greater extent compared to youth without IDD. In addition, transition from pediatric to adult services may be a period of increased anxiety and mental health problems for these youth. This study used a retrospective cohort design using population level administrative health data to compare mental health diagnoses between youth with IDD and youth without IDD; particularly examining the period when youth transition from pediatric health services to adult health services. In addition, this study compared the mental health of youth with various types of IDD (Down syndrome, autism, fetal alcohol syndrome and other rarer diagnoses). Results showed that at the population level youth with IDD have greater odds of anxiety/depression or psychotic illness than youth without IDD. Adjusted odds of anxiety/depression or psychotic illness also varied with age, income level, sex, and type of IDD. Youth with fetal alcohol syndrome had the greatest odds of both anxiety/depression and a psychotic illness. Odds of anxiety/depression increased from age 15-19 years old. Odds of a psychotic illness increased from age 15 to age 24 years old.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Marquis
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, T201-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada.
| | - Yona Lunsky
- Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, 1025 Queen St West, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada
| | - Kimberlyn M McGrail
- Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, The University of British Columbia, 201-2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Jennifer Baumbusch
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, T201-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada.
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2
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Kriegel G, Paul S, Leonard KH, Sandor P. Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Inpatient Adolescent Psychiatric Population. J Autism Dev Disord 2023:10.1007/s10803-023-05923-w. [PMID: 37022576 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-05923-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased in recent decades, much of which is related to changes in diagnostic criteria, and greater awareness among professionals and parents. Using a prospective cross-sectional study design, this study explores the prevalence of ASD among 173 adolescents admitted to two psychiatric facilities in Canada, and its association with some early pre and perinatal risk factors. The overall prevalence of ASD in the psychiatric population was 11.56% compared to 1.52% in children and youth in Canada. While prenatal and perinatal factors were not significantly associated with ASD, we found a frequent association of ASD with different comorbid psychiatric conditions. These findings further our knowledge in planning and management of ASD among this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graciela Kriegel
- Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, 700 Gordon St, L1N5S9, Whitby, ON, Canada.
| | - Sayani Paul
- Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, 700 Gordon St, L1N5S9, Whitby, ON, Canada
| | - Kate H Leonard
- Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, 700 Gordon St, L1N5S9, Whitby, ON, Canada
| | - Paul Sandor
- Youthdale Treatment Center and Youthdale Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
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3
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Semovski V, King C, Lapshina N, Stewart SL. A cross-sectional examination of service complexity in youths with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and psychiatric or medical diagnoses across service sectors. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1027373. [PMID: 36817386 PMCID: PMC9930473 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1027373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous, life-long, and complex condition. Youth diagnosed with ASD require several supports addressing core symptoms associated with the disorder, but also those resulting from co-occurring mental and physical health conditions. As a result, their care is overseen by numerous professionals spanning various service sectors, but communication between sectors is hindered due to the absence of a standardized assessment system to identify and triage youth to services. A paucity of information surrounding this population's service use lingers and a siloed delivery system persists. Methods Using archival data collected from 1,020 youth between 12 and 18 years of age, this study explored service complexity among autistic youth with and without psychiatric and medical co-occurring conditions in Ontario, Canada. In doing so, a negative binomial regression was utilized to investigate which predisposing, enabling, and need variables were associated with service complexity. Results Results revealed that experiencing financial difficulties was not associated with service complexity. However, age, sex, caregiver distress, comorbidity, intellectual disability, and evaluated health status were significant predictors. More specifically, female youth and youth with distressed caregivers had greater mental health service complexity scores. Additionally, youth diagnosed with two or more conditions in addition to ASD who required longer durations of programming, controlling for other predictors, had greater mental health service complexity scores. Yet, youth with an intellectual disability had lower service complexity scores. Discussion Clinical implications of this study are discussed to inform future investments into mental health efforts for autistic youth.
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McMaughan DJD, Jones JL, Mulcahy A, Tucker EC, Beverly JG, Perez-Patron M. Hospitalizations Among Children and Youth With Autism in the United States: Frequency, Characteristics, and Costs. INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2022; 60:484-503. [PMID: 36454617 DOI: 10.1352/1934-9556-60.6.484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
National estimates of hospitalization diagnoses and costs were determined using the 2016 HCUP Kids' Inpatient Database. Children and youth with autism were hospitalized over 45,000 times at over $560 million in costs and 260,000 inpatient days. The most frequent principal diagnoses for hospitalizations of children and youth with autism were epilepsy, mental health conditions, pneumonia, asthma, and gastrointestinal disorders, which resulted in almost $200 million in costs and 150,000 inpatient days. Mental health diagnoses accounted for 24.8% of hospitalizations, an estimated $82 million in costs, and approximately 94,000 inpatient days. Children and youth with autism were more likely hospitalized for epilepsy, mental health diagnoses, and gastrointestinal disorders, and less likely for pneumonia and asthma compared to other children and youth.
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5
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Badgett NM, Sadikova E, Menezes M, Mazurek MO. Emergency Department Utilization Among Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Exploring the Role of Preventive Care, Medical Home, and Mental Health Access. J Autism Dev Disord 2022; 53:2274-2282. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05503-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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6
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Gilmore D, Krantz M, Weaver L, Hand BN. Healthcare service use patterns among autistic adults: A systematic review with narrative synthesis. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2021; 26:317-331. [PMID: 34881676 DOI: 10.1177/13623613211060906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Autistic adults often have complex healthcare needs due to factors like having other health conditions, sensory sensitivities, and limited access to healthcare providers who are trained to provide care for them. All these factors may influence the healthcare services that autistic adults use. In this review, we searched six electronic research databases to gather the most recent evidence about how often autistic adults use five important healthcare services (the emergency department, hospitalization, outpatient mental health, preventive services, and primary care) compared to populations of non-autistic adults. A total of 16 articles were ultimately included in this review. Most articles found that autistic adults had equal or higher use of healthcare services than non-autistic adults. Autistic adults frequently used the emergency department and hospital. This may indicate that routine outpatient care in the community is not meeting their needs. Our findings show the importance of improving care at this level for autistic adults to reduce overuse of the emergency department (in this article referred to as ED) and hospital.
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7
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Hand BN, Miller JS, Guthrie W, Friedlaender EY. Healthcare utilization among children with early autism diagnoses, children with other developmental delays and a comparison group. J Comp Eff Res 2021; 10:917-926. [PMID: 34037425 DOI: 10.2217/cer-2021-0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To describe healthcare utilization patterns among children with autism (n = 1821), and compare these patterns to children with other developmental delays (DD; n = 12,336) and a population comparison (PC; n = 18,210) cohort. Materials & methods: Retrospective study of administrative billing data. Results: Children with autism had roughly six-times more annual outpatient visits as PC children and twice as many as children with DD. Children with autism were more likely than PC children to use nearly all services, but comparisons between the autism and DD cohorts were mixed. Children with autism were more likely to have psychiatry/psychology visits, 'other' specialty care visits and psychotropic prescriptions, but less likely to have pediatric specialty care visits, immunizations and some prescriptions. Conclusion: Findings reveal opportunities to streamline, coordinate or improve care for young children with autism, particularly for outpatient services, and to give caregivers appropriate anticipatory guidance about what to expect after an autism diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany N Hand
- School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, OH 43210, USA
| | - Judith S Miller
- Chidlren's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, PA 19104, USA
| | - Whitney Guthrie
- Chidlren's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eron Y Friedlaender
- Chidlren's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, PA 19104, USA
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Brooks JD, Bronskill SE, Fu L, Saxena FE, Arneja J, Pinzaru VB, Anagnostou E, Nylen K, McLaughlin J, Tu K. Identifying Children and Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Electronic Medical Records: Examining Health System Utilization and Comorbidities. Autism Res 2020; 14:400-410. [PMID: 33098262 PMCID: PMC7894325 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder requiring significant health and educational resources for affected individuals. A reference standard for ASD was generated from an existing population‐based cohort of 10,000 children and youth aged 1–24 years who were randomly selected for chart abstraction from 29,256 patients from 119 family physicians. We developed and validated an algorithm to identify children and youth with ASD within an electronic medical record system (N = 80,237, aged 1–24 years) in order to examine the prevalence of comorbidities and quantify health system utilization within the cohort. We identified 1,062 children and youth with ASD representing a prevalence of 1.32%. Compared to individuals without ASD, those with ASD had a higher prevalence of asthma, were more likely to visit a specialist, undergo surgery, and be hospitalized for psychiatric reasons. Children and youth with ASD in Ontario have complex health system needs, illustrated through a significant burden of comorbidities and increased health system utilization. Lay Summary Our paper generates population‐based estimates of health system use by children and youth with ASD, who have a higher burden of comorbidities than the general population. We developed a case‐finding algorithm and applied it in electronic medical records to create a cohort of children and youth with ASD, thereby generating an important resource to further study the health care needs of individuals with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D Brooks
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan E Bronskill
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Jasleen Arneja
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kirk Nylen
- Ontario Brain Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John McLaughlin
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karen Tu
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,North York General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Toronto Western Hospital Family Health Team, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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9
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Bowden N, Thabrew H, Kokaua J, Audas R, Milne B, Smiler K, Stace H, Taylor B, Gibb S. Autism spectrum disorder/Takiwātanga: An Integrated Data Infrastructure-based approach to autism spectrum disorder research in New Zealand. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2020; 24:2213-2227. [PMID: 32677449 PMCID: PMC7542998 DOI: 10.1177/1362361320939329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
New Zealand has few estimates of the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder and no national registry. The use of administrative data sources is expanding and could be useful in autism spectrum disorder research. However, the extent to which autism spectrum disorder can be captured in these data sources is unknown. In this study, we utilised three linked administrative health data sources from the Integrated Data Infrastructure to identify cases of autism spectrum disorder among New Zealand children and young people. We then investigated the extent to which a range of mental health, neurodevelopmental and related problems co-occur with autism spectrum disorder. In total, 9555 unique individuals aged 0–24 with autism spectrum disorder were identified. The identification rate for 8-year-olds was 1 in 102. Co-occurring mental health or related problems were noted in 68% of the autism spectrum disorder group. The most common co-occurring conditions were intellectual disability, disruptive behaviours and emotional problems. Although data from the Integrated Data Infrastructure may currently undercount cases of autism spectrum disorder, they could be useful for monitoring service and treatment-related trends, types of co-occurring conditions and for examining social outcomes. With further refinement, the Integrated Data Infrastructure could prove valuable for informing the national incidence and prevalence of autism spectrum disorder and the long-term effectiveness of clinical guidelines and interventions for this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Bowden
- A Better Start National Science Challenge, New Zealand.,University of Otago, New Zealand
| | - Hiran Thabrew
- A Better Start National Science Challenge, New Zealand.,The University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jesse Kokaua
- A Better Start National Science Challenge, New Zealand.,University of Otago, New Zealand
| | - Richard Audas
- A Better Start National Science Challenge, New Zealand.,University of Otago, New Zealand
| | - Barry Milne
- A Better Start National Science Challenge, New Zealand.,The University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Barry Taylor
- A Better Start National Science Challenge, New Zealand.,University of Otago, New Zealand
| | - Sheree Gibb
- A Better Start National Science Challenge, New Zealand.,University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
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10
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Hand BN, Boan AD, Bradley CC, Charles JM, Carpenter LA. Emergency department utilization and monetary charges in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and a population comparison group. Autism Res 2019; 12:1129-1138. [PMID: 31081200 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or intellectual disability (ID) may utilize the emergency department (ED) more frequently than individuals in the general population. This study compared ED utilization and charges during adolescence among four groups of individuals: ASD-only, ASD + ID, ID-only, and a population comparison (PC) group. ED visits occurring during age 12-17 years were examined to identify non, low, and high utilizers. Logistic regression was used to compare groups on the odds of having at least one ED visit during adolescence. Generalized linear models were used to compare groups on number of ED visits and total charges, stratified by low and high ED utilization. Descriptive examination of presenting diagnoses was performed. Individuals with ID, with or without co-occurring ASD, were significantly more likely to have at least one ED visit during adolescence. Among high ED utilizers, the ID-only group had the most frequent ED visits but had significantly lower charges than the ASD-only group. Individuals with ASD-only and ASD + ID differed from the ID-only and PC groups in presenting diagnoses. No differences between groups in number of ED visits or charges were observed among low utilizers. ID, with or without ASD, increased the odds of visiting the ED during adolescence. Adolescents with ID-only had the most frequent ED visits, but individuals with ASD-only had the highest ED charges and tended to be seen for psychiatric concerns. Further research is warranted to better characterize and meet the healthcare needs of individuals with ASD and/or ID during adolescence. Autism Res 2019, 12: 1129-1138. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Frequent emergency department (ED) visits strain medical resources and are costlier than primary and urgent care. Our findings show that adolescents with intellectual disability (ID) may use the ED frequently for nonurgent conditions. Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, without ID, use the ED less frequently but incur higher charges. Further research is needed to understand how to meet the unique needs of these populations in primary care to prevent overuse of the ED.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea D Boan
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | | | - Jane M Charles
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
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11
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Weiss JA, Isaacs B, Diepstra H, Wilton AS, Brown HK, McGarry C, Lunsky Y. Health Concerns and Health Service Utilization in a Population Cohort of Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 48:36-44. [PMID: 28900771 PMCID: PMC5760600 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3292-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have many health needs that place demands on the health service sector. This study used administrative data to compare health profiles in young adults 18–24 years of age with ASD to peers with and without other developmental disability. Young adults with ASD were more likely to have almost all the examined clinical health issues and health service use indicators compared to peers without developmental disability. They were more likely to have at least one psychiatric diagnosis, and visit the family physician, pediatrician, psychiatrist, and emergency department for psychiatric reasons, compared to peers with other developmental disability. Planning for the mental health care of transition age adults with ASD is an important priority for health policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Weiss
- Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele St., 230 Behavioural Sciences Building, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada.
| | | | | | - Andrew S Wilton
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hilary K Brown
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Health Studies, University of Toronto Scarborough, Scarborough, ON, Canada
| | | | - Yona Lunsky
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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12
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See-Hear-Feel-Speak: A Protocol for Improving Outcomes in Emergency Department Interactions With Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Pediatr Emerg Care 2019; 35:157-159. [PMID: 30702545 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000001734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The presentation of children and adolescents with autism in the emergency department (ED) poses a unique set of challenges to clinicians and their teams, which have not yet been met. Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely than their age and ethnically matched counterparts to visit both pediatric and general EDs and are more likely to use it for primary care complaints and dental care and to present for psychiatric concerns including suicidality. Despite the higher relative frequency, individuals with ASD demonstrate lower patient satisfaction, lower healthcare self-efficacy, and higher odds of unmet healthcare needs related to physical health, mental health, health maintenance, and vaccination. This can be ameliorated by simple strategies regarding communication, sensory and environmental modification, and distraction. After performing a literature review of existing evidence-based recommendations via PubMed as well as resources from autism advocacy and self-advocacy groups, we compiled a 4-step system: "See-Hear-Feel-Speak" an approach conducive to learning with the goal of enabling clinicians and their teams to facilitate patient-centered encounters with pediatric patients with ASD. The protocol meets the practicality requirements defined by published research.
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13
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Wilson SA, Peterson CC. Medical care experiences of children with autism and their parents: A scoping review. Child Care Health Dev 2018; 44:807-817. [PMID: 30136407 DOI: 10.1111/cch.12611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families may benefit from the provision of additional supports in health care settings, particularly when preparing for and attending medical appointments. This review examined literature that describes experiences in medical care settings from the perspective of patients under age 18 with ASD and their caregivers. A scoping review was conducted to examine the experiences of children with ASD and their families in medical care settings. Twenty-nine studies meeting inclusion criteria were identified and reviewed. The review indicated a number of challenges (e.g., parent-reported problems in parent-provider communication and overwhelming environments) as well as factors that facilitate positive experiences (e.g., providing positive reinforcement and explaining exam steps) during medical appointments. Children with ASD and their families are faced with many challenges while receiving care in medical settings. The present review identified many challenges families face, as well as facilitators of positive experiences. Understanding the unique experiences of patients with ASD and their parents will help to improve experiences in medical care settings for children, caregivers, and health care providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelby A Wilson
- Department of Applied Behavior Analysis Services, The Children Center of Wayne County, Detroit, Michigan
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14
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Lunsky Y, Tint A, Weiss JA, Palucka A, Bradley E. A review of emergency department visits made by youth and adults with autism spectrum disorder from the parent perspective. ADVANCES IN AUTISM 2018. [DOI: 10.1108/aia-08-2017-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
Past research has shown individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) visit hospital emergency departments (ED) at high rates. In order to assist individuals with ASD, their families and health care providers to improve ED care, it is important to understand these encounters in greater detail. The purpose of this paper is to provide a descriptive summary of the ED experiences of adolescents and adults with ASD, from the perspective of their families.
Design/methodology/approach
A subset of data from a larger prospective cohort study was used. Specifically, 46 parents of adolescents and adults with ASD provided details concerning 49 ED visits over a 12-month period.
Findings
Results suggest a range of presentations requiring ED use, and also diverse profiles of those with ASD who visited the ED, in terms of age, gender, and ASD severity. While overall degree of satisfaction with care received in the ED was high, parents provided recommendations to improve the ED experiences for their family members with ASD.
Originality/value
This is the first study to provide detailed accounts of ED visits from the perspective of parents of adolescents and adults with ASD. Families play an important role in the lives of individuals with ASD across the lifespan and it is important to include their perspective to improve hospital-based care for those with ASD.
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15
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Zhang W, Baranek G, Boyd B. Brief Report: Factors Associated with Emergency Department Visits for Epilepsy Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 48:1854-1860. [PMID: 29234930 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3433-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
We examined how demographic and clinical characteristics differ between emergency department (ED) visits for epilepsy (EP cohort) and ED visits for other reasons (non-EP cohort) in children with ASD. The data were drawn from the 2009 and 2010 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample. We performed both univariate and multivariate analyses to compare and contrast similarities and differences between EP cohort and non-EP cohort among children with ASD. The results showed ED visits in EP cohort were more likely to occur among adolescents aged 13-17 years, less likely to occur among children with co-occurring psychiatric conditions, and were more likely to co-occur with injury. We discussed some unique challenges for managing children with both ASD and epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanqing Zhang
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 321 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7122, USA.
| | - Grace Baranek
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 321 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7122, USA
- USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brian Boyd
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 321 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7122, USA
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16
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School Discipline, Hospitalization, and Police Contact Overlap Among Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 48:883-891. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3359-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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17
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Epidemiology of Injury-Related Emergency Department Visits in the US Among Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 46:2756-2763. [PMID: 27241347 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-016-2820-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Several reports suggest children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to be seen for injury-related ED visits; however, no nationally representative study has examined this question. Using data from the 2008 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, over a quarter of all visits among those with ASD were related to injury. In the multivariate analyses, the odds of an injury-related visit was 54 % greater among those with ASD compared to youth with intellectual disability (ID), but 48 % less compared to youth without ID or ASD. Compared to all other pediatric injury-visits in the US, visits among children with ASD were more likely to be due to self-inflicted injury and poisoning and were more likely to result in hospitalization (all p < 0.001).
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18
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Lunsky Y, Weiss JA, Paquette-Smith M, Durbin A, Tint A, Palucka AM, Bradley E. Predictors of emergency department use by adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder: a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e017377. [PMID: 28720619 PMCID: PMC5541491 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine predictors of emergency department (ED) visits in a cohort of adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Community-based study from Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS Parents reported on their adult sons and daughters with ASD living in the community (n=284). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES ED visits for any reason, ED visits for medical reasons and ED visits for psychiatric reasons over 1 year. RESULTS Among individuals with ASD, those with ED visits for any reason were reported to have greater family distress at baseline (p<0.01), a history of visiting the ED during the year prior (p<0.01) and experienced two or more negative life events at baseline (p<0.05) as compared with those who did not visit the ED. Unique predictors of medical versus psychiatric ED visits emerged. Low neighbourhood income (p<0.01) and living in a rural neighbourhood (p<0.05) were associated with medical but not psychiatric ED visits, whereas a history of aggression (p<0.05) as well as being from an immigrant family (p<0.05) predicted psychiatric but not medical emergencies. CONCLUSIONS A combination of individual and contextual variables may be important for targeting preventative community-based supports for individuals with ASD and their families. In particular, attention should be paid to how caregiver supports, integrative crisis planning and community-based services may assist in preventing or minimising ED use for this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yona Lunsky
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Melissa Paquette-Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anna Durbin
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Research and Evaluation, Canadian Mental Health Association–Toronto Branch, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ami Tint
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Anna M Palucka
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Elspeth Bradley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Bonander C, Beckman L, Janson S, Jernbro C. Injury risks in schoolchildren with attention-deficit/hyperactivity or autism spectrum disorder: Results from two school-based health surveys of 6- to 17-year-old children in Sweden. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2016; 58:49-56. [PMID: 27620934 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Injuries are one of the leading causes of death and disability among children in Sweden and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has previously been associated with an increased risk of injury in pediatric populations elsewhere in the world. Current evidence regarding the possible link between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and injury risk appears limited, even though some potentially risk-increasing symptoms overlap. The purpose of this study was thus to study the association between both ADHD and ASD concerning the risk of injury among Swedish schoolchildren. METHODS Two samples were used: a population-based register study containing data from 18,416 children ranging from the ages of 6-17years collected by school nurses during 2012/2014 (Survey A), and a national cross-sectional study of 3202 ninth-grade children (~15years old) collected from 92 schools in 2011 (Survey B). The data were analyzed using χ(2)-tests and log-binomial generalized linear models to obtain risk ratios (RR), comparing cases reportedly affected by ADHD or ASD to unaffected controls. RESULTS After adjusting for confounders, ADHD was associated with a 65% increased risk of injury (RR 1.65 [95% CI: 1.32-2.05] in Survey A, and a 57% increased risk of injury (RR 1.57 [95% CI: 1.27-1.95]) in Survey B. ASD was not significantly associated with any differences in injury risk (RR 0.81 [95% CI: 0.57-1.14]). CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that there is an elevated injury risk among Swedish schoolchildren with ADHD but not for children with ASD. Future studies should focus on causal mechanisms mediating the association between ADHD and injuries in order to facilitate injury prevention strategies. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Parents and teachers of schoolchildren with ADHD should be made aware of the elevated injury risks associated with the diagnosis. Safety experts and injury control professionals should consider the development of specialized prevention strategies in order to reduce these risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Bonander
- Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden; Centre for Public Safety, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden.
| | - Linda Beckman
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
| | - Staffan Janson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
| | - Carolina Jernbro
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
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Leigh JP, Grosse SD, Cassady D, Melnikow J, Hertz-Picciotto I. Spending by California's Department of Developmental Services for Persons with Autism across Demographic and Expenditure Categories. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151970. [PMID: 27015098 PMCID: PMC4807877 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Few autism spectrum disorder (ASD) studies have estimated non-medical costs for treatment or addressed possible differences in provision of services across gender, race-ethnic, age or demographic or expenditure categories, especially among adults. Methods The California Department of Developmental Services (CDDS) provides services to residents with developmental disabilities. CDDS provided aggregate data on primarily non-medical spending for fiscal year 2012–2013 for persons with ASD with or without intellectual disability (ID) (main sample, n = 42,274), and two sub-samples: ASD only (n = 30,164), and ASD+ID (n = 12,110). Demographic variables included sex, age and race-ethnicity. Spending categories included Employment Support, Community Care Facilities, Day Care, Transportation, and in-home and out-of-home Respite. Results Per-person spending for males and females were approximately the same: $10,488 and $10,791 for males and females for ages 3–17 and $26,491 and $26,627 for ages 18+. Among race/ethnicity categories, the ranking from highest to lowest among ages 3–17 was white non-Hispanics ($11,480), Asian non-Hispanics ($11,036), “Others” ($11,031), Hispanics ($9,571), and African-American non-Hispanics ($9,482). For ages 18+, the ranking was whites ($31,008), African-Americans ($26,831), “Others” ($25,395), Asians ($22,993), and Hispanics ($18,083). The ASD+ID sub-sample exerted disproportionate influence on findings from the main sample for persons 18+. Combining all ages, the top two expenditure categories for per-person spending were Community Care Facilities ($43,867) and Day Care ($11,244). For most adult age groups, the percentage of recipients participating were highest for Day Care (44.9% - 62.4%) and Transportation (38.6% - 50.9%). Per-person spending for Day Care, Transportation, and Employment Support was relatively low for children but relatively high for adults. Conclusion White non-Hispanics received the highest per-person spending and Hispanics among the least. Amounts within spending categories varied considerably across age groups. Our estimates may be useful as baseline measures for stakeholders preparing for increasing ASD prevalence, especially among adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Paul Leigh
- Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Scott D. Grosse
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Diana Cassady
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Joy Melnikow
- Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Department of Family Medicine, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California, United States of America
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