The median age when school-aged children with special health care needs (CSHCN) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were first identified as having ASD was 5 years.[Note: other studies have reached different conclusions.]
Percent distribution of child's age when parent or guardian was first told that child had
School-aged CSHCN identified as having ASD at a younger age (under age 5 years) were identified most often by generalists and psychologists, while those identified later (aged 5 years and over) were identified primarily by psychologists and psychiatrists.
autism spectrum disorder among children aged 6–17 years with special health care needs and
autism spectrum disorder: United States, 2011
Percent distribution of type of doctor or health care provider who first told parent or guardian that child had autism spectrum disorder, by child's age when parent or guardian was first told, among children aged 6–17 years with special health care needs and autism spectrum disorder: United States, 2011
Nine out of 10 school-aged CSHCN with ASD use one or more services to meet their developmental needs. Social skills training and speech or language therapy are the most common, each used by almost three-fifths of these children.
Percentage of children aged 6–17 years with special health care needs and autism spectrum disorder who currently use selected health care services, by age: United States, 2011
More than one-half of school-aged CSHCN with ASD use psychotropic medication.
Percentage of children aged 6–17 years with special health care needs and autism spectrum disorder who currently use selected medication types: United States, 2011
