Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Unmet Health Services Needs Among US Children with Developmental Disabilities: Associations with Family Impact and
Olivia J Lindly1, Alison E Chavez, Katharine E Zuckerman
1*School of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR; †Divison of General Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR.
Insights
Unmet health service needs in children with developmental disabilities are common and linked to family financial strain and behavioral issues. Improving access to care may enhance outcomes for these children and their families.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health Services Research
- Developmental Disabilities Research
- Health Outcomes Research
Background:
- Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delay (DD), and intellectual disability (ID) often have unmet health service needs.
- These unmet needs can have significant implications for both the child's functioning and the family's well-being.
- Understanding these associations is crucial for improving care delivery and support systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between unmet child or family health service needs and adverse family financial/employment impacts.
- To investigate the association between unmet health service needs and child behavioral functioning problems in children with ASD, DD, and/or ID.
- To inform strategies for enhancing health service access and coordination for children with developmental disabilities.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of parent-reported data from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (2009-2010) and the Survey of Pathways to Diagnosis and Services (2011).
- Study sample included 3,518 US children aged 6-17 years with current ASD, DD, and/or ID.
- Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess associations between unmet needs and adverse impacts or behavioral problems.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of unmet needs for child and family health services, adverse family financial/employment impacts, and child behavioral problems was high.
- Unmet health service needs were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of adverse family employment and financial impacts.
- A trend suggested an association between unmet needs and child behavioral problems, though it did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusions:
- Unmet health service needs are linked to adverse financial and employment outcomes for families of children with developmental disabilities.
- While not statistically significant in this study, unmet needs may also impact child behavior.
- Improving access to and coordination of health services after diagnosis is recommended to enhance outcomes for children with ASD, DD, and/or ID and their families.
Objective:
To determine associations of unmet needs for child or family health services with (1) adverse family financial and employment impacts and (2) child behavioral functioning problems among US children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delay (DD), and/or intellectual disability (ID).
Method:
This was a secondary analysis of parent-reported data from the 2009 to 2010 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs linked to the 2011 Survey of Pathways to Diagnosis and Services. The study sample (n = 3,518) represented an estimated 1,803,112 US children aged 6 to 17 years with current ASD, DD, and/or ID (developmental disabilities). Dependent variables included adverse family financial and employment impacts, as well as child behavioral functioning problems. The independent variables of interest were unmet need for (1) child health services and (2) family health services. Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to examine associations.
Results:
Unmet need for child and family health services, adverse family financial and employment impacts, and child behavioral functioning problems were prevalent among US children with developmental disabilities. Unmet needs were associated with an increased likelihood of adverse family employment and financial impacts. Unmet needs were associated with an increased likelihood of child behavioral functioning problems the following year; however, this association was not statistically significant.
Conclusion:
Unmet needs are associated with adverse impacts for children with developmental disabilities and their families. Increased access to and coordination of needed health services following ASD, DD, and/or ID diagnosis may improve outcomes for children with developmental disabilities and their families.
More Related Videos
11:29Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools
Published on: June 20, 2020
09:18Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Published on: January 12, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:25Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
01:18Introduction To Health Care Delivery System
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) advocates for a patient-centered, effective, safe, timely, equitable, and effective healthcare system. The National Priorities...
01:29Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities