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Predictors of unmet needs and family debt among children and adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder: Evidence from Ireland

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  • Roddy, Áine
  • O’Neill, Ciaran

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are a life-long neurodevelopmental condition where individuals affected and their families require varying intensities of services and supports. A growing body of evidence provides consensus that early intervention may improve long-term outcomes. The purpose of the paper is to identify the factors that explain variations between families raising a child/children with an ASD in their experience of specific unmet needs and/or experience of debt. Analysis was based on data collected as part of a larger study that examined the economics of autism spectrum disorder in Ireland among 195 families with 222 children aged between 2–18 years of age in 2014/2015. The findings from parental reported responses show over 74 % of children did not receive one or more services in the previous 12 months. Average debt per year per family was €3259. Regression analyses showed that families that had two or more children with an ASD were more likely to experience unmet needs and incur debt specifically because of the child’s condition than families with one child with an ASD. The study shows there is a significant level of unmet need and economic hardship, as evident in the level of ASD related debt which may make current met needs unsustainable in the future. Issues of capacity and geographic inequity that warrant a policy response were also evident.

Suggested Citation

  • Roddy, Áine & O’Neill, Ciaran, 2020. "Predictors of unmet needs and family debt among children and adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder: Evidence from Ireland," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(3), pages 317-325.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:124:y:2020:i:3:p:317-325
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2020.01.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Connolly, Sheelah & Wren, Maev-Ann, 2017. "Unmet healthcare needs in Ireland," Papers RB20170301, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    2. Deanna Sharpe & Dana Baker, 2007. "Financial Issues Associated with Having a Child with Autism," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 28(2), pages 247-264, June.
    3. Connolly, Sheelah & Wren, Maev-Ann, 2017. "Unmet healthcare needs in Ireland: Analysis using the EU-SILC survey," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(4), pages 434-441.
    4. Patrick Richard & Regine Walker & Pierre Alexandre, 2018. "The burden of out of pocket costs and medical debt faced by households with chronic health conditions in the United States," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-13, June.
    5. Smith, Samantha & Walsh, Brendan & Wren, Maev-Ann & Barron, Steve & Morgenroth, Edgar & Eighan, James & Lyons, Seán, 2019. "Geographic profile of healthcare needs and non-acute healthcare supply in Ireland," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number RS90, June.
    6. Maria Jose Aragon Aragon & Martin Chalkley & Maria Goddard, 2017. "Defining and measuring unmet need to guide healthcare funding:identifying and filling the gaps," Working Papers 141cherp, Centre for Health Economics, University of York.
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    Cited by:

    1. Roddy, Áine, 2022. "Income and conversion handicaps: estimating the impact of child chronic illness/disability on family income and the extra cost of child chronic illness/child disability in Ireland using a standard of ," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 111833, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Áine Roddy, 2022. "Income and conversion handicaps: estimating the impact of child chronic illness/disability on family income and the extra cost of child chronic illness/child disability in Ireland using a standard of ," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 23(3), pages 467-483, April.

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