Effect of Family Navigation on Diagnostic Ascertainment Among Children at Risk for Autism

Abstract

Disparities exist in access to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnostic and treatment services for low-income and racial/ethnic minority families.^1-4 The consequences of existing disparities have become evident as both the prevalence of ASD and evidence of effectiveness of ASD-specific treatments have increased.^5-9 Autism spectrum disorder now affects 1 in 54 children in the United States.⁶ High-quality studies demonstrate the effectiveness of early intensive behavioral intervention to improve skills and reduce ASD-related impairments.^7-11 Such services are more efficacious when they are initiated at younger ages.^12,13 Because a formal ASD diagnosis is typically required to qualify for ASD-specific services, decreasing disparities in the age at ASD diagnosis is a critical step to ensuring equitable early access to evidence-based services, and plausibly to better outcomes. Without explicit strategies to promote early identification and engagement with diagnostic and treatment services among low-income and racial/ethnic minority children, disparities in ASD outcomes are likely to persist.