Barriers to referral and evaluation and corresponding navigation services for toddlers screening positive for autism spectrum disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Children from disadvantaged populations receive referrals, diagnoses, and services for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) late or not at all. We describe barriers to referral for and receipt of evaluation for ASD among young children from disadvantaged families and activities by autism family navigators (AFNs) to address these barriers.

Method

Trained AFNs offered navigation to families of children aged 16-30 months with positive ASD screens from community health center clinics in 2015-2018. AFNs interviewed families to identify perceived barriers to care and documented system barriers and navigation activities. We coded, categorized, and described barriers and AFN activities. Case studies illustrate barriers and navigation activities.

Results

Of 22 participa

SUBMITTER: Hightshoe K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10516304 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature