Involvement of Youths with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Intellectual Disabilities in Multiple Public Service Systems

Abstract

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.

KEYWORDS:

• community service systems
• autism spectrum disorders
• intellectual disabilities, prevalence
• psychiatric comorbidity

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

These data are from the Patterns of Youth Mental Health Care in Public Service Systems Study, which was supported by National Institute of Mental Health Grant U01-MH-55282 to Dr. Hough. Preparation of this article was also supported by National Institute of Mental Health Grants K23MH077584 (LBF), K01MH069665 (MBE), K01MH065325 (AS), and K01MH067628 (DM). We thank Mary Joyce Juan and Robin Taylor for their assistance in the preparation of this article.

Notes

Individuals With Disabilities Education Act of 2004, Pub. L. No. 108-446, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq. (2004).