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Cited by 504Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchChild Nutrition and Feeding IssuesFamily and Disability Support Research

Disparities in diagnosis and access to health services for children with autism: data from the National Survey of Children’s Health

Liptak, Gregory S., Benzoni, Lauren B., Mruzek, Daniel W., Nolan, Karen W., Thingvoll, Melissa A., Wade, Christine M., Fryer, G Edgar·2008·Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
DOI 10.1097/dbp.0b013e318165c7a0
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Earlier assessment of autism improves outcomes. In addition, children with autism have significant need for medical care. Therefore, identification of factors associated with delays in the early diagnosis of autism and with decreased access to care has the potential to lead to interventions that will improve health and well-being. The aim of this study was to determine whether differences occur in the age-specific prevalence of autism or in access to health care in children of traditionally underserved populations. METHOD: Data from the National Survey of Children's Health of 2003/2004 were used. Diagnosis of autism and its severity were based on parental report. RESULTS: The prevalence of autism was lower for Latinos (26/10,000) than for non-Latinos (51/10,000). Whites and blacks had comparable rates. The lowest preschool rate of autism (16/10,000) occurred in poor children. Latinos and poor families rated their children's autism as more severe. Being black, Latino, or poor was associated with decreased access to services, while having Medicaid or State Children's Health Insurance Program was linked with better access to some services. CONCLUSIONS: Disparities in the prevalence and parent-reported severity of autism and in access to health care were found for children with autism. Programs for children in general (e.g., universal screening for autism) and programs that target traditionally underserved groups of children, their families, and their health care providers should be tested and implemented to optimize case finding of children with autism and to eliminate disparities in access to care and to early intervention.

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Crossref · 10.1097/dbp.0b013e318165c7a0

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61 of 61 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Disparities in timely receipt of developmental support services have persisted for many decades and may contribute to differences in developmental outcomes and school readiness by levels of social risk.

    “Unfortunately, disparities in timely receipt of developmental support services have persisted for many decades and may contribute to differences in developmental outcomes and school readiness by levels of social risk.3–7”

    From Sustained Effectiveness of a 211 Call Center With Early Childhood Care Coordination (2025) · cites this paper as [6]

  • Patients from low-income households may be less likely to regularly attend checkups, resulting in later referrals for evaluation and services.

    “and those from low-income households may be less likely to regularly attend checkups (Liptak et al., 2008; Wolf et al., 2018, 2021), resulting in later referrals for evaluation and services.”

    From Navigating the Challenges: A Commentary on Barriers to Autism Screening in Childcare Centers (2026) · cites this paper as Liptak et al., 2008

  • The larger study was intentionally conducted with families from low-income households and minoritized racial/ethnic backgrounds to represent those who have historically experienced disparities in access to developmental-behavioral specialty care.

    “The larger study was intentionally conducted with families from low-income households and minoritized racial/ethnic backgrounds to represent those who have historically experienced disparities in access to developmental-behavioral specialty care (Liptak et al., 2008; Magaña et al., 2013; Mandell et al., 2002; K. A. Smith et al., 2020).”

    From Parenting Stress, Child Social Functioning, and Part C Early Intervention in Predominantly Low-Income Families of Children With or at High Risk for Developmental Delay From Minoritized Racial and Ethnic Groups (2023) · cites this paper as Liptak et al., 2008

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Authors
Liptak, G. S., Benzoni, L. B., Mruzek, D. W., Nolan, K. W., Thingvoll, M. A., Wade, C. M., & Fryer, G. E.
Affiliations
  • SUNY Upstate Medical University (US)
  • University of Rochester Medicine (US)
  • NYU Langone Health (US)
Corresponding author
  • Liptak, Gregory S.
  • Benzoni, Lauren B.
  • Mruzek, Daniel W.
  • Nolan, Karen W.
  • Thingvoll, Melissa A.
  • Wade, Christine M.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2008-06
Volume
29
Issue
3
Pages
152-160
ISSN
0196-206X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1097/dbp.0b013e318165c7a0
OpenAlex
W1963964632
Cited by
504
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 41 · 2020: 51 · 2019: 51 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 43 · 2016: 31 · 2015: 32 · 2014: 39 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 17
FWCI
6.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, autism diagnosis, health care access, health disparities, underserved populations, Latino children, poverty, Medicaid, State Children's Health Insurance Program, autism prevalence, autism severity, early intervention, early diagnosis, preschool children, racial and ethnic disparities
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Age Factors, Autistic Disorder, Black or African American, Child, Child, Preschool, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Health Services Accessibility, Health Services Needs and Demand, Health Services Research, Health Surveys, Hispanic or Latino, Humans, Male, Mass Screening, Medicaid, Poverty, State Health Plans, United States, Incidence, Early Diagnosis, Black People, White People, Healthcare Disparities

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