"In the driver's seat": Parent perceptions of choice in a participant-directed medicaid waiver program for young children with autism.

This study investigated families' experience of choice within a participant-directed Medicaid waiver program for young children with autism. Fourteen parents or grandparents participated in in-depth interviews about their experience of choosing personnel, directing in-home services, and managing the $25,000 annual allocation. Key findings included families' preference to hire providers with whom they have a prior relationship, parent empowerment and differences of opinion about parents as teachers.

Racial and ethnic disparities in quality of health care among children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

We examined racial and ethnic disparities in quality of care for children with autism and other developmental disabilities and whether disparities varied for children with autism compared to children with other developmental disabilities. Analyzing data from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (N  =  4,414), we compared Black and Latino children to White children. We found racial and ethnic disparities on 5 of 6 quality outcomes.

Health care of Latino children with autism and other developmental disabilities: quality of provider interaction mediates utilization.

This study examines access to, utilization of, and quality of health care for Latino children with autism and other developmental disabilities. We analyze data from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (N  =  4,414 children with autism and other developmental disabilities). Compared with White children, Latino children with autism and other developmental disabilities had a consistent pattern of worse health care access, utilization, and quality.