Lifting barriers to early intervention services for children with autism

Early intervention for autism can pave the way for helping communication, social, and coping skills. A timely diagnosis between birth and three years of age has been shown to increase the child’s developmental outcomes. Unfortunately, many parents find reaching intervention services a challenge. Knowing the blocks and solutions to finding proper care could make sure children receive the help they need.
 

Benefits of early intervention

Early intervention for autism can greatly aid a child’s developmental trajectory . Studies show that interventions started before age 4  may help key developmental skills, such as:
 

Communication and social skills
Early intervention programs foster communication growth using methods like speech therapy and picture trade systems to help children communicate needs. These interventions are key for autistic children, equipping them with social skills like sharing and recognizing social cues to improve relationships and social interactions.

Coping skills
Early intervention plays a key role in finding triggers and forming strategies to manage maladaptive behaviors. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and similar interventions can help foster skills to deescalate or be mindful of triggers . ABA is based on the science of learning and behavior. ABA’s goal is to help individuals increase constructive behaviors and decrease ones may be harmful or affect learning.

Independence
Early intervention programs rely on occupational therapy to teach self-care and daily living tasks, skills that lead to greater independence for children.

School performance
Children who get early autism intervention likely see greater success in school . As they form methods for handling learning challenges, they can learn ways to manage an overwhelming school setting.
 

Obstacles to early intervention

Despite the known benefits, let’s take a look at some hurdles that may prevent parents who notice signs of autism in their children from accessing early autism intervention.
 

Delayed diagnosis
Across the U.S., parents report a child received an autism diagnosis near age 5 but planned for early intervention at 4.3 years of age . A delayed diagnosis could hinder timely intervention, preventing children from getting the needed support during their critical developmental windows.

Cost of care
Children with autism often face more healthcare needs, leading to higher health costs. Most get coverage through Medicaid, which sometimes offers special waivers. Still, accessing state-level Medicaid waivers that connect children with specialized autism care can be challenging due to delays and hurdles.

Social stigma
Parental hesitation linked to social stigma could delay or hinder some families from seeking a diagnosis and intervention. Action is being taken to lower social stigma. Programs like the CDC’s Autism Acceptance Month  give a voice and platform to inform the public.

Knowing who to seek for a diagnosis
The kind of care provider diagnosing autism changes with the age of the person. Pediatric specialists are more common for young children, while psychiatrists diagnose older children and adults. For U.S. children under three, diagnoses mostly come from their main doctor (31.1%) and mental health professionals (31.2%) .

Healthcare hurdles
General healthcare barriers to early intervention, like fixed provider networks, stressful medical settings, or limited regional services, could delay a diagnosis and ongoing support.
 

How providers can promote early intervention

Providers can take steps to aid in early intervention for autism and support a family's search for care in several ways. By covering diagnostic and evidence-based treatments, parents are encouraged to use autism-related services, while adding autism specialists to networks can lead to earlier diagnosis and give long-term treatment plans.

Promoting fair access to autism treatment in underserved communities may help lower stigma and service gaps. Telehealth could increase access to screenings and treatments — especially for families with geographic or mobility challenges. Training pediatricians on the latest practices may assist families who detect signs of autism in children. Their input, plus access to mental health professionals, provides an integrated care model that serves more people in need.
 

Autism Specialty Services at Carelon Behavioral Health

Carelon Behavioral Health's Autism Specialty Services embodies a strong early intervention model. The program offers total, integrated care through specialized programs and a network of experts who offer care tailored to each child's unique needs.

“Our team is composed of clinicians who make rounds twice daily presenting ASD cases to various medical directors and psychiatrists who specialize in applied behavioral analysis,” says Manny Gonzalez-Abreu, PhD, LMFT, ABA Shared Services, Carelon Behavioral Health.

“We solicit feedback and ask that the care providers resubmit their findings every six months,” says Gonzalez-Abreu. “We look for progress on their patients’ goals, the barriers they are facing, and what they are doing to master them. That way we can see goal mastery and progression.”

Early intervention is an essential step in providing the support children with autism need during critical development phases; it helps them establish long-term coping skills to equip them in leading more independent lives. We invite you to reach out and learn more about the difference our services can make.