(PS3-B37) Caregiver Satisfaction with the Autism Diagnostic Process: An Analysis of Perceptions of Wait-time and Barriers to the Diagnostic Process

The diagnostic process for autism spectrum disorder can be dissatisfactory for caregivers. Previous studies have identified multiple factors that contribute to this dissatisfaction, with one of the leading factors being the length of time a caregiver spends waiting for the diagnostic services. Wait times for an evaluation are long and bring about frustration from caregivers. Additionally, social and systemic barriers exist that make it even more difficult to seek out an evaluation, such as living in a rural area with few qualified clinicians and having limited financial means to pursue an evaluation. These barriers can compound the dissatisfaction felt by caregivers about the evaluation process. While these factors have been examined, the extant literature on the topic is outdated, not specific to the United States, and does not analyze these factors simultaneously or in direct relation to the diagnostic evaluation process for autism. Considering the lack of current studies evaluating caregivers’ satisfaction with the autism diagnostic process, especially within the United States, the current study was aimed at addressing this gap within the existing literature. Therefore, this study included an examination of potential barriers (i.e., rurality, financial stress, level of education, travel time, and difficulty finding a clinician) to the autism diagnostic process in relation to caregiver satisfaction. Furthermore, length of wait for an evaluation has been inconsistently defined and evaluated within the existing literature, thus, this study evaluated both length of wait since first noticing autism symptoms and length of time spent on a wait list to observe any difference in the influence these variables may have. A nationwide online survey was conducted (n = 376) to assess caregivers’ perception of the autism diagnostic process. It was hypothesized that the longer wait times experienced by caregivers and the more barriers they face when seeking out an autism evaluation, the less satisfied they will be with the evaluation. Multiple linear regressions were performed to evaluate the relationship between caregiver satisfaction with the autism diagnostic process and the wait time and barriers faced by caregivers in the United States. Two models of hierarchical multiple linear regressions were run to evaluate the best model fit as well as a simultaneous multiple linear regression. Potential covariates were identified (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, age) and measured.