Evaluating the Availability and Accessibility of Applied Behavior Analysis in Georgia
Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasingly prevalent in the United States, with 1 in 36 children meeting the diagnostic criteria. Children with ASD benefit from Early Intervention (EI) therapies like Applied behavior analysis (ABA), yet families in rural areas experience multiple barriers and delays in receiving treatment. This is due, in part, to the dearth of EI providers in these areas and the lack of a centralized database of providers for parents. Therefore, we aim to assess ABA availability and accessibility throughout Georgia via the creation of an ABA Accessibility Index. We also aim to create a map to identify ABA treatment deserts across the state.
Methods: This study uses secret shopper methodology to contact clinics across Georgia who offer ABA to ascertain service areas, insurances, and appointment wait times. A list of 466 ABA providers was compiled from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board Registry, DFACS data, and targeted Google searches. Research team members, posing as a parent of an autistic child, systematically called clinics to collect data. Clinics will be geocoded and a weighted index will be created to reflect the ease of ABA access for locations across Georgia.
Anticipated Results: The secret shopper methodology is in progress and will be complete by January 2024. We will then use that information to create the ABA Accessibility Index and display it across Georgia using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) methodology. Clinics will be mapped and service treatment deserts will be identified based on our index, with work complete by April 2024.
Conclusion: Results will highlight the areas in Georgia in need of additional ABA services to meet the need experienced by autistic children. Understanding which communities are in need of services will help inform resource allocation. Future research will validate the index through qualitative methods.
Keywords
Autism spectrum disorders, rural health disparities, geographic information systems, evidence-based practices, developmental disorders
Evaluating the Availability and Accessibility of Applied Behavior Analysis in Georgia
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasingly prevalent in the United States, with 1 in 36 children meeting the diagnostic criteria. Children with ASD benefit from Early Intervention (EI) therapies like Applied behavior analysis (ABA), yet families in rural areas experience multiple barriers and delays in receiving treatment. This is due, in part, to the dearth of EI providers in these areas and the lack of a centralized database of providers for parents. Therefore, we aim to assess ABA availability and accessibility throughout Georgia via the creation of an ABA Accessibility Index. We also aim to create a map to identify ABA treatment deserts across the state.
Methods: This study uses secret shopper methodology to contact clinics across Georgia who offer ABA to ascertain service areas, insurances, and appointment wait times. A list of 466 ABA providers was compiled from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board Registry, DFACS data, and targeted Google searches. Research team members, posing as a parent of an autistic child, systematically called clinics to collect data. Clinics will be geocoded and a weighted index will be created to reflect the ease of ABA access for locations across Georgia.
Anticipated Results: The secret shopper methodology is in progress and will be complete by January 2024. We will then use that information to create the ABA Accessibility Index and display it across Georgia using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) methodology. Clinics will be mapped and service treatment deserts will be identified based on our index, with work complete by April 2024.
Conclusion: Results will highlight the areas in Georgia in need of additional ABA services to meet the need experienced by autistic children. Understanding which communities are in need of services will help inform resource allocation. Future research will validate the index through qualitative methods.
