Accessing Healthcare: The Experience of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Maine

Previous research has revealed that children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are significantly more likely to have both unmet healthcare needs than those with other disabilities. In addition, they are more likely to have difficulty accessing primary or specialized medical care. Minority status, living in a rural location, and low income can exacerbate these disparities. Other obstacles to effective healthcare for individuals with ASD include the following: (1) severity of symptoms associated with ASD; (2) lack of knowledge or skill by medical practitioners; (3) lack of access to comprehensive healthcare supports or a medical home; and (4) lack of access to health insurance for needed supports and services. Individuals with ASD of all ages are likely to have a range of other medical and psychological conditions, making the need for comprehensive healthcare imperative. The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (CCIDS), Maine’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, and the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council have published a research report, Accessing Healthcare: The Experience of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Maine (2014), that reveals promising positive trends, as well as areas of concern, in healthcare access for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders in Maine. The Maine Developmental Disabilities Council funded research to collect information about the experience of accessing healthcare from 85 parents of children with ASD and 22 adults with ASD or their guardians who live in Maine. A consultant conducted structured in-person interviews to collect the data and the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies’ primary researcher, Alan Kurtz, Ph.D. Candidate and Coordinator of Education and Autism, analyzed the method, data collected, and reported the results. Report co-authors include Angie Schickle, Margaret Carr, Marnie Bragdon-Morneault, Susan Russell, Debra Rainey, Jill Downs and Nancy Cronin

The Grizzly, March 3, 1997

China Mourns the Loss of a Leader • Pipes Lectures on Mid-East • Opinion: The Liberal Arts Education Part I, Multiculturalism and Diversity; What is There to Hide? Unobtainable Security Reports Make Us Feel Unsafe; Pledging and Greek Life Not What They Seem to Be?; It\u27s All Greek to Me; Greek Life, Don\u27t Knock it Till You\u27ve Finished it • Finding Fun with the German Club • Majors Fair \u2797 Planned • An Education in British Education • Gilbert Heads for Division I-AA • Women\u27s Basketball Team Loses in Conference Semi\u27shttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1399/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, February 24, 1997

Dr. Gaede Receives $28,500 Grant • Organist and Dancer to Perform at Ursinus • Dr. Goetz to Lecture • Greek Life Discussion at Common Hour • Opinion: Things That Make Me Go Hmmm; Letters from Great Britain; A Non-Greek Speaks Back; Go Out and Do Something; Student Ponders Greek Life; Politicians\u27 Greed Outweighs Desires of Constituents • Daniel Pipes to Lecture on the Middle East • Torsone Wins 118-Pound Regional Title • Women\u27s Basketball Drops Two in a Row • Larkin Honored Twice • Gymnastics Place Third at Ithaca Invitational • Buyse Scores 1,000th Pointhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1398/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, April 28, 1997

Student Art Exhibit Opens at Berman • Student Research Conference Held at Ursinus • Spirit Week at Ursinus • Opinion: Some Final Thoughts; More Inaccuracies Uncovered; The Ceremony of Innocence; Is Servitude the American Way? • Letter: SERV Denied Drill • Letters from Great Britain • Understanding One Another: Students to Present Projects on Identity and Diversity • Medieval Sports Fest Celebrates Tenth Year • Spring Service Success • A World of Learning at Musser and Beyond • Softball Splits Doubleheader • Golf Team Wins Four Matches • Women\u27s Tennis Jumps Record to 5-3 • Women\u27s Lacrosse Downs Haverford • Baseball Team Pounded by College of New Jerseyhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1404/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, March 24, 1997

Alternative Spring Break Unites Students, Charity • Author Ntozake Shange Reads, Lectures in Olin • New Chair of Campus Ministries Committee • Wicks House to Open in Fall • Ursinus is Ranked Among Best Science Schools • Opinion: Some Advice to Mr. Leahy; All Good Things; Liberal Arts Education Part II, Awareness Weeks; Letters from Great Britain; Let\u27s Get it Straight; A Tree or not a Tree, That is the Question • Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blur • The Tempest: Wayfaring Weather • Lady Bears Lose ECAC Championship • Baseball Starts Season at 4-7 Pace • Women\u27s Lacrosse Wins Year\u27s First Contest • Men\u27s Tennis Falls to Moravian • Rhodenbaugh and Minnich Honored as SAAC Chairs • Softball Off to 10-4 Start • Torsone an All-American • Gymnastics Team Places 8th at Nationals • Women\u27s Tennis Wins • USA Wrestling Lineup Announcedhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1400/thumbnail.jp