Parent-Reported Problems Accessing Mental Health Services Among a National Sample of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Anxiety, (2022), Conrad C., Cerda N., Harstad E.

(https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/wk/dbp/2022/00000043/00000006/art00002)

Objective:
The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with parent-reported problems
accessing needed mental health services (MHS) in youth with autism spectrum disorder and anxiety.

Methods:
This study is a secondary analysis using the National Survey of Children's Health 2016 to 2017 data
sets with multivariable logistic regression. Subjects are 6 to 17 year olds with parent-reported autism
spectrum disorder (ASD) and anxiety. Outcome is parent-reported challenge accessing needed
mental health treatment, dichotomized to not a problem versus problem. Covariates included
race/ethnicity, intellectual disability, insurance, medical home, poverty level, and parent education
level.

Results:
The sample included 568 youth with ASD and anxiety—78% male subjects, mean age 12.5 years, and
63% White, non-Hispanic. Fifty-three percent of youth with ASD and anxiety had parent-reported
problems accessing needed MHS. Lack of medical home (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.97, 95%
confidence interval [CI] [2.72–13.09]) and coexisting intellectual disability (aOR 2.23, 95% CI
[1.08–4.60]) were significantly associated with problems accessing MHS. Reported family incomes at
0% to 99% and 100% to 199% of the federal poverty level as compared with family income at 400%
federal poverty level or above (aOR 0.32, 95% CI [0.11–0.94] and aOR 0.35, 95% CI [0.13–0.95],
respectively) was associated with decreased problems accessing MHS.

Conclusion:
In this nationally representative study, more than half of youth with ASD and anxiety had parent-
reported problems accessing needed MHS. Lack of a medical home, co-occurring intellectual
disability, and higher socioeconomic status (SES) are associated with problems accessing MHS.
Therefore, policies to support the medical home; increase mental health supports available for those
with ASD, anxiety, and coexisting intellectual disability; and support access for all SES levels may
increase mental health access.

Citation: Conrad C., Cerda N., Harstad E., (2022). Parent-Reported Problems Accessing Mental Health
Services Among a National Sample of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Anxiety. Journal of
Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 43(6): 320-326.