Improvements to community-based psychiatric systems of care for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) could help divert psychiatric-related ED visits, according to findings from a large observational study. Among children with ASD, 13% of ED visits were for a psychiatric problem, compared with a 2% rate for visits involving children without ASD. Among children with ASD, those with private insurance had a greater risk for a psychiatric ED visit than those with medical assistance (odds ratio, 1.58).

Abstract: Pediatric Emergency Care, December 2012.