ERIC Number: EJ1232621
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Nov
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: N/A
Risk Factors for Emergency Department Utilization among Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Liu, Guodong; Pearl, Amanda M.; Kong, Lan; Brown, Sierra L.; Ba, Djibril; Leslie, Doug L.; Murray, Michael J.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v49 n11 p4455-4467 Nov 2019
This study reaffirms our previous work documenting a higher number of Emergency Department (ED) visits by adolescent females with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as compared to adolescent males with ASD, as well as significantly more ED visits by older adolescents than younger adolescents with ASD. Combined externalizing and internalizing psychiatric co-morbidities as well as internalizing conditions alone predict a higher number of ED visits in this study. Illness severity as demonstrated by patterns of visits to primary care physicians and psychiatric referrals prior to ED visits and the prescription of two or more classes of psychotropic medications also predict higher number of ED visits. Finally, as expected, previous ED visits predict future ED visits. The identification of these factors may prove helpful in determining adequacy of current supports and resources for teens with ASD navigating the challenges of adolescence.
Descriptors: Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Adolescents, Gender Differences, Age Differences, Risk, Behavior Patterns, Severity (of Disability), Diseases, Physician Patient Relationship, Pharmacy, Predictor Variables, Referral, Medical Services
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A