1. Screening and treatment of trauma-related symptoms in youth with autism spectrum disorder among community providers in the United States.
- Author
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Kerns, Connor M, Berkowitz, Steven J, Moskowitz, Lauren J, Drahota, Amy, Lerner, Matthew D, and Newschaffer, Craig J
- Subjects
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TREATMENT of emotional trauma , *ATTITUDE (Psychology) , *ETHNIC groups , *HEALTH care teams , *HEALTH services accessibility , *MEDICAL needs assessment , *MEDICAL personnel , *PATIENT-professional relations , *MEDICAL screening , *POST-traumatic stress disorder , *EMOTIONAL trauma , *SELF-evaluation , *STATISTICS , *STUDENTS , *LOGISTIC regression analysis , *SOCIOECONOMIC factors , *AUTISM in adolescence , *CROSS-sectional method , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *SYMPTOMS , *ADOLESCENCE - Abstract
Using a cross-sectional survey of 673 multidisciplinary autism spectrum disorder providers recruited from five different sites in the United States, we examined the frequency with which community-based providers inquire about, screen, and treat trauma-related symptoms in their patients/students and assessed their perceptions regarding the need for and barriers to providing these services. Univariate and bivariate frequencies of self-reported trauma service provision, training needs, and barriers were estimated. Multivariable logistic regressions identified provider and patient-related factors associated with trauma-related symptoms screening and treatment. Over 50% of providers reported some screening and treatment of trauma-related symptoms in youth with autism spectrum disorder. Over 70% informally inquired about trauma-related symptoms; only 10% universally screened. Screening and treatment varied by provider discipline, setting, amount of interaction, and years of experience with autism spectrum disorder, as well as by patient/student sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Most providers agreed that trauma screening is a needed service impeded by inadequate provider training in trauma identification and treatment. The findings indicate that community providers in the United States of varied disciplines are assessing and treating trauma-related symptoms in youth with autism spectrum disorder, and that evidence-based approaches are needed to inform and maximize these efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
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