title: Health care experiences and perceived financial impact among families of children with an autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors compared the health care experiences of families raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), an intellectual disability disorder (IDD), or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Children with a current diagnosis of ASD (N=3,005), ADHD (N=9,662), or IDD (N=949) were identified in the 2009-2010 National Survey of Children With Special Health Care Needs. Weighted structural equation modeling was used to determine the association between family satisfaction with medical care, timeliness of care, and medical insurance coverage and the impact of the child's condition on the family's financial situation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Families of children diagnosed as having ASD comorbid with either ADHD or IDD or comorbid with both conditions reported the highest levels of dissatisfaction across all health care quality variables and experienced the greatest impact on the family's financial situation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings underscore the need for comprehensive and accessible health care services for children with ASD, particularly those with comorbid conditions.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zablotsky
authors.forename: Luther G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Kalb
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Freedman
authors.forename: Roma
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vasa
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Stuart
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000191:economics*; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology