Autism spectrum disorder in the US: Have we done enough?
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review and commentary without original empirical data or systematic review methodology.
PubMed 37984282 · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115595
What was done
This narrative review and commentary examines systemic challenges in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) management and service delivery in the United States. The authors reference surveillance estimates from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, outline structural bottlenecks across the care continuum, and discuss potential mitigation strategies.
What was found
The abstract cites ADDM Network surveillance findings indicating an ASD prevalence of 1 in 36 (2.8%) among 8-year-old children in 2020. It outlines key systemic deficits: delayed care due to inconsistent diagnostic and referral practices, unequal access to licensed Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapists, variable ABA implementation across clinical and educational settings, and insufficient educational, vocational, and social supports for youth transitioning to adulthood. No original quantitative datasets or effect estimates were generated.
Why it matters
The paper synthesizes critical operational gaps across the lifespan of individuals with autism in the US, highlighting persistent disparities in therapy access and transition care as prevalence metrics rise.
Limits
The work is a narrative discussion rather than an empirical study or systematic review, presenting no original human data or quantitative evaluation of proposed policy solutions. No search methodology, sample selection criteria, or empirical outcome metrics are reported in the abstract.
Cited by
- context One in 31 eight-year-old children in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.