Graduation Year

2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.S.

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Degree Granting Department

Community and Family Health

Major Professor

Cathy Sowell, LCSW

Co-Major Professor

Tom Massey, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Connie Walker, Ph.D.

Keywords

behavioral health services, healthcare disparities, mental health care utilization

Abstract

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience co-occurring emotional, behavioral, and mental health concerns that increase the need for accessible behavioral health services. Although schools often serve as an important point of access for behavioral health support, disparities in service utilization continue to exist. Limited national research has examined recent patterns of mental health service utilization among children with ASD using updated nationally representative data.

The purpose of this study was to examine mental health service utilization among children with ASD and determine whether utilization differed across demographic and socioeconomic groups. Secondary data from the 2021–2022 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) were analyzed. The analytic sample included 2,440 children aged 6–17 years with a current parent-reported diagnosis of ASD. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were used to examine associations between mental health care utilization and household income, insurance type, age group, and ASD severity.

The Chi-square results indicated that household income was significantly associated with mental health care utilization. Insurance type, age group, and ASD severity were not significantly associated with mental health care utilization. Behavioral treatment utilization was significantly associated with household income, insurance type, age group, and ASD severity. Special education or early intervention plan status was significantly associated with insurance type and ASD severity but was not associated with household income or age group.

These findings suggest that socioeconomic and clinical factors may influence utilization behavioral and educational services among children with ASD, although household income was the only factor associated with mental health care utilization.

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