title: Specialized inpatient psychiatry units for children with autism and developmental disorders: a United States survey.
abstract: A cross sectional survey was performed to obtain the characteristics of specialized inpatient psychiatry units exclusively serving children with autism and other developmental disorders in the United States. Identified units were surveyed on basic demographic characteristics, clinical challenges and therapeutic modalities. Average length of stay was 42.3 days, children with autism spectrum disorders constituted the majority of the inpatient population (62.5-87.5%), and obtaining adequate post-discharge services was identified as the greatest challenge. Health policy implications and future research directions are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Developmental Disorders Program, Spring Harbor Hospital & Maine Medical Center, 123 Andover Road, Westbrook, ME 04092, USA. siegem@springharbor.org
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siegel
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chemelski
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ellsworth
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harmon
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: Briana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Milligan
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lubetsky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000628:therapy*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D007902:Length of Stay; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult