Access to Autism Spectrum Disorder Services for Rural Appalachian Citizens.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Low-resource rural communities face significant challenges regarding availability and adequacy of evidence-based services.

Purposes

With respect to accessing evidence-based services for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), this brief report summarizes needs of rural citizens in the South-Central Appalachian region, an area notable for persistent health disparities.

Methods

A mixed-methods approach was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data during focus groups with 33 service providers and 15 caregivers of children with ASD in rural southwest Virginia.

Results

Results supported the barriers of availability and affordability of ASD services in this region, especially relating to the need for more ASD-trained providers, better coordination and nav

SUBMITTER: Scarpa A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9138840 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature