Urbanicity-related variation in help-seeking and services utilization among preschool-age children with autism in Taiwan.
The present study examines urbanicity-related differences in help-seeking process among preschool children with autism and investigates the factors associated with utilization of autism-related services within the year of diagnosis. Using the 1997-2004 National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan, we identified a total of 3495 autistic children born in 1997-1999 and 13964 matched controls. Results indicate that suburban and rural autism tended to receive the diagnosis at an older age and to have a longer diagnosis process as compared with urban counterparts. Male gender, a younger age of diagnosis, and being diagnosed by psychiatric specialty strongly predict subsequent greater utilization of autism-specific services (all p < 0.05). Health policy makers and other service providers should address the needs of children with early-onset neurodevelopmental disorders in rural areas, particularly those from disadvantaged families.
Chen
Chuan-Yu
CY
Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Research, National Health Research Institutes, Fl. 5, Campus 2, No. 309, Sung-Te Rd, Taipei 110, Taiwan. cychen@nhri.org.tw
Liu
Chieh-Yu
CY
Su
Wen-Chuan
WC
Huang
Su-Ling
SL
Lin
Keh-Ming
KM
D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014507:Urbanization