ERIC Number: EJ1269910
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Nov
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: N/A
Service Deserts and Service Oases: Utilizing Geographic Information Systems to Evaluate Service Availability for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Drahota, Amy; Sadler, Richard; Hippensteel, Christopher; Ingersoll, Brooke; Bishop, Lauren
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v24 n8 p2008-2020 Nov 2020
Autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring symptoms often require lifelong services. However, access to autism spectrum disorder services is hindered by a lack of available autism spectrum disorder providers. We utilized geographic information systems methods to map autism spectrum disorder provider locations in Michigan. We hypothesized that (1) fewer providers would be located in less versus more populated areas; (2) neighborhoods with low versus high socioeconomic status would have fewer autism spectrum disorder providers; and (3) an interaction would be found between population and socioeconomic status such that neighborhoods with low socioeconomic status and high population would have few available autism spectrum disorder providers. We compiled a list of autism spectrum disorder providers in Michigan, geocoded the location of providers, and used network analysis to assess autism spectrum disorder service availability in relation to population distribution, socioeconomic disadvantage, urbanicity, and immobility. Hypotheses were supported. Individuals in rural neighborhoods had fewer available autism spectrum disorder providers than individuals in suburban and urban neighborhoods. In addition, neighborhoods with greater socioeconomic status disadvantage had fewer autism spectrum disorder providers available. Finally, statistically significant spatial disparities were found; wealthier suburbs had good provider availability while few providers were available in poorer, urban neighborhoods. Knowing autism spectrum disorder providers' availability, and neighborhoods that are service deserts, presents the opportunity to utilize evidence-based dissemination and implementation strategies that promote increased autism spectrum disorder providers for underserved individuals.
Descriptors: Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Geographic Information Systems, Socioeconomic Influences, Neighborhoods, Population Trends, Rural Areas, Suburbs, Urban Areas, Access to Health Care, Access to Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (NIH); National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) (DHHS/NIH); National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) (DHHS/NIH)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Michigan
Grant or Contract Numbers: U54HD090256; UL1TR002373; KL2TR002374; KL2TR000428; U54MD011227