A Comparative Study of Rurality and Urbanicity on Access to and Satisfaction with Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Little is known about services for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) living in rural areas. The purpose of this study was to examine parent report of access to and satisfaction with services for children with ASD in rural areas and compare results to parents from urban areas. Parents in both groups reported children were diagnosed after the age of 3 and experienced challenges accessing services, trained professionals, and educators. Parents from rural areas reported significantly more difficulty accessing trained physicians and professionals in their areas. The implications of this study and needed future research are discussed.