Key Study: Caring for Children With Autism in an Emergency Department Setting
Key Study: Caring for Children With Autism in an Emergency Department Setting
Visit VisitPatients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental delays represent a unique patient population. We described a cohort of children with ASD cared for in an emergency department (ED) setting and the specific health care resources used for their care. The care for children with ASD varied with age and health care issues. There was a high prevalence of psychiatric complaints, and many of these children were boarded in the ED waiting for an inpatient psychiatric bed. Those with psychiatric complaints were more likely to have multiple tests ordered and were more likely to be admitted.
