TY - JOUR
T1 - Involvement of youths with autism spectrum disorders or intellectual disabilities in multiple public service systems
AU - Brookman-Frazee, Lauren
AU - Baker-Ericzén, Mary
AU - Stahmer, Aubyn
AU - Mandell, David
AU - Haine, Rachel A.
AU - Hough, Richard L.
PY - 2009/1/1
Y1 - 2009/1/1
N2 - The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) among youths active in at least one of five public service systems: mental health (MH), educational services for youth with serious emotional disturbance (SED), child welfare (CW), juvenile justice (JJ), and alcohol and drug services (AD). This study also reports the characteristics and patterns of system involvement among these youths. Results indicate that approximately 12% of a random sample of youths involved in these public service systems had ID or ASD. These disabilities were particularly prevalent in youths in the SED (25%), MH (13%), and CW (13%) systems and were less prevalent in the JJ and AD systems (4% each). Youths with ID or ASD were more likely than other youths to be White, have a higher socioeconomic status, and be more likely to have externalizing psychiatric and other problems. Of those with ASD or ID, approximately one-third were served in more than one service system, with the MH and SED systems most likely to be serving youths with externalizing psychiatric disorders. These findings have important implications for service provision, treatment planning, and workforce development.
AB - The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) among youths active in at least one of five public service systems: mental health (MH), educational services for youth with serious emotional disturbance (SED), child welfare (CW), juvenile justice (JJ), and alcohol and drug services (AD). This study also reports the characteristics and patterns of system involvement among these youths. Results indicate that approximately 12% of a random sample of youths involved in these public service systems had ID or ASD. These disabilities were particularly prevalent in youths in the SED (25%), MH (13%), and CW (13%) systems and were less prevalent in the JJ and AD systems (4% each). Youths with ID or ASD were more likely than other youths to be White, have a higher socioeconomic status, and be more likely to have externalizing psychiatric and other problems. Of those with ASD or ID, approximately one-third were served in more than one service system, with the MH and SED systems most likely to be serving youths with externalizing psychiatric disorders. These findings have important implications for service provision, treatment planning, and workforce development.
KW - Autism spectrum disorders
KW - Community service systems
KW - Intellectual disabilities
KW - Prevalence
KW - Psychiatric comorbidity
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U2 - 10.1080/19315860902741542
DO - 10.1080/19315860902741542
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85009643364
VL - 2
SP - 201
EP - 219
JO - Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities
JF - Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities
SN - 1931-5864
IS - 3
ER -