Child and Family Characteristics that Predict Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialty Clinic Appointment Attendance and Alignment with Providers. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • We examined factors contributing to initial appointment attendance, alignment between parents' pre-visit and clinicians' diagnostic impressions, and family commitment to follow-ups at an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) specialty clinic. Sample sizes were n = 6558 (initial), n = 1430 (alignment), and n = 1353 (follow-up). Parents completed surveys and clinicians provided their ASD diagnostic impressions. When children were not receiving intervention, families were less likely to keep their initial appointment. Families residing long distances and having older children were less likely to keep their initial and follow-up appointments. African American families were less likely to keep their initial appointment and expressed initial doubts with providers about the diagnosis. Findings suggest that some children are not getting diagnostic clarity or accessing timely services.

publication date

  • August 1, 2019

Research

keywords

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Family Characteristics

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85065018634

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s10803-019-04027-8

PubMed ID

  • 31030311

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 49

issue

  • 8