Family Experiences in Obtaining Early Intervention

Services for Their Young Children with ASD

Stephen R. Hooper, Rebecca Pretzel, Kathleen C. Thomas, Elizabeth Crais, Robert Christian & the NC ASD
State Implementation Team, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Background Findings Results

Evidence-based interventions are
expanding in a positive fashion, but Prior to dx, having public insurance Table 1. Factors Contributing to Receipt Table 2. Factors Contributing to the Age
factors and barriers that affect access (p<.03), a sibling with ASD (p<.07), of Services Prior to Dx of ASD When Services were Received
to early intervention remains unclear. some form of screening (p<.02), and
early recognition of concerns (p<.001)
This is particularly true when the
perspectives of parents and caregivers were associated with receipt of early Variable OR p (Ref) p Variable Coefficient p (Ref) p
are considered. interventions. Female 0.84 0.57 Female 0.05 .98
Obtaining their perspectives on these Early screening for developmental Race/Ethnicity Race/Ethnicity
pathways and barriers remains an concerns (p<.09), high functioning Black, Not Hispanic 0.56 0.10 0.41 Black, Not Hispanic -4.04 .05* .26
important area of scientific inquiry. ASD (p<.004), and early recognition
Hispanic/Latino 0.91 0.79 Hispanic/Latino -1.05 .61
of concerns (p<.001) were associated
Questions with when children received
interventions.
Other/Multiracial
White, Not Hispanic
0.78
Reference
0.58 Other/Multiracial
White, Not Hispanic
-1.47
Reference
.58

What factors contributed to children <High School 1.12 0.78 <High School 2.74 .26
Gender, race/ethnicity, parent
receiving services prior to their
diagnosis of ASD? education, finding professionals, or Type of Insurance Type of Insurance
distance travelled were not associated Public 1.19 0.50 0.03* Public 2.52 .35 .62
What factors contributed to the age at with outcomes in either model.
which services were received? None 0.32 0.02 None -0.12 .93
Private Only Reference Private Only Reference
Methods Conclusion Siblings with ASD 0.56 0.07+ Siblings with ASD -0.36 .85
ASD Diagnosis ASD Diagnosis
Participants: These findings reflect the importance
of enlisting the input of families with Asperger's Disorder 1.48 0.29 0.34 Asperger's Disorder 6.69 .002** .004**
N=395 families with child <8 years
of age with a dx of ASD. respect to potential key variables in PDD 0.71 0.37 PDD 3.52 .11
the pathways to early intervention. Autistic Disorder Reference Autistic Disorder Reference
Measure:
Findings from this study identify Screening Forms 0.61 0.02* Screening Forms -2.25 . .09+
Used Qualtrix to construct on-line specific factors that pertain to the
survey. Finding Professionals 0.97 0.88 0.88 Finding Professionals 1.96 .17
receipt of early intervention services.
Distributed electronic and paper Distance Travelled-Dx Distance Travelled-Dx
survey via ASNC, UNC Autism By using a large state-wide survey of > 60 miles 0.79 0.55 > 60 miles 1.40 .33 .62
Registry, and parent support families and caregivers, our findings
12-60 miles 1.50 0.10 0.15 12-60 miles 0.50 .84
groups. provide a much-needed perspective in
the pursuit of intervention services for 0 -20 miles Reference 0 -20 miles Reference
Data Analyses:
young children with ASD. Age at 1st Concern 0.95 <.001*** Age at 1st Concern 0.46 <.001***
Logit Model (Q1) and Linear
Regression (Q2)
Supported by HRSA Grant #H6MMC26248-01 and MCH LEND 5-T73-MC00030-23. We thank the parents who participated in this survey.