Prevalence and Correlates of Educational Intervention Utilization Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Most U.S. preschoolers with ASD once got no behavior therapy and received all services inside school—check your clients aren’t still experiencing those gaps.
01Research in Context
What this study did
van Timmeren et al. (2016) looked at a national sample of U.S. preschoolers with autism. They asked parents what services the children got and where the services happened. The survey used data from the 2003-04 school year.
What they found
Almost none of the kids received behavior therapy. Nearly every service took place inside school only. Families reported little help outside the classroom.
How this fits with other research
Rubenstein et al. (2019) later asked a similar question and got the same grim answer: four in ten preschoolers still got zero community services. Klein et al. (2024) updated the picture, showing the gaps now break along race, income, and mom’s education. The 2016 survey is the first big red flag; the newer papers prove the flag is still up.
Why it matters
If you serve preschoolers, do not assume someone else is providing ABA outside school. Ask the parent to list every service, then help fill the blanks. A quick phone call to the district can secure a shared-care plan so therapy continues after the bell rings.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
This study examined the prevalence and correlates of educational intervention utilization among U.S. preschool aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prior to recent policy changes. The analysis was based on a nationally representative longitudinal survey of children receiving special education services during the 2003-2004 school year. All children with parent or teacher identified ASD over a 3-year study period were analyzed. Outcomes included utilization of speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavior therapy, and mental health services by service sector. The analysis revealed low rates of behavioral therapy and mental health services. Parents reported that the overwhelming majority of services were received inside school only. This study identified gaps in the provision of services for young children with ASD.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2016 · doi:10.1007/s10803-015-2598-z