title: A cross-sectional cohort study of a large, statewide Medicaid home and community-based services autism waiver program.
abstract: State-specific 1915(c) Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waiver programs have become central in the provision of services specifically tailored to children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Using propensity score matching, 130 families receiving waiver services for a child with ASD were matched with and compared to 130 families waiting on the registry (i.e., control group). Results indicate that participants in the waiver group reported more improvement in independent living skills and family quality of life over the last year compared to those on the registry. More frequent intensive individual support services and therapeutic integration were statistically predictive of improvement in a variety of domains. The results suggest that the waiver program may be promising for improving child and family functioning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Studies and Community Development, Towson University, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD, 21252, USA, keskow@towson.edu.
authors.forename: Karen Goldrich
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Eskow
authors.forename: Gregory S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Chasson
authors.forename: Jean Ann
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Summers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid / Q000191:economics*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States