https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3091-4853
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ABSTRACT
Purpose: This review aimed to 1) synthesize extant research on barriers to healthcare access experienced by persons with autism, their caregivers, and health-care providers; and 2) present a taxonomy of barriers to physical healthcare for individuals with autism.
Method: Systematic searches were conducted in five electronic databases. Methodological rigor was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with Diverse Designs. Thematic analysis was used to classify barriers and to develop a taxonomy.
Results: In total, 31 articles were included in the review. The resulting taxonomy consisted of four themes: 1) Challenges Associated with Autism-related Characteristics; 2) Health-care Provider-based Issues; 3) Healthcare System Issues; and 4) Patient-related factors.
Conclusions: Barriers to healthcare access for persons with autism are prevalent and occur at the patient, provider, and system levels. The taxonomy developed may facilitate measurement of barriers within health-care facilities and prompt identification of areas where interventions are warranted to improve care.
Supplemental data
Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.
Data availability statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, (CW) upon reasonable request.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have no conflicts of interest.
Ethical considerations
No ethical approval was required as this study did not involve any human participants or animal subjects.