Study finds children with ASD are more likely to be abused

A recent study conducted by Vanderbilt researchers in 11 counties in central Tennessee found that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were nearly 2.5 times more likely than non-ASD children to report to the hotline. for children under 8 years old.

The study, led by researchers at the Autism Spectrum Disorders Treatment and Research Institute (TRIAD) of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, examined the entire population of Middle Tennessee residents born in 2008 and compared their registrations until 2016. Using data collected through the Centers for Disease Control The Surveillance Network (ADDM) of Autism and Developmental Disabilities Prevention (CDC) diagnosed ASD in 387 children out of a total of 24,306.

More than 17% of those identified with ASD had been reported to the Child Abuse Hotline in 2016, compared with 7.4% of children without ASD. In addition, women with ASD were six times more likely to have substantiated allegations of maltreatment than men with ASD.

"If about one in five autistic children is reported to the Department of Child Services, we must make sure that it is well aware of the frequency of this phenomenon and strengthen partnerships in education. and services to optimize our responsiveness, "said Zachary Warren, PhD, executive director of TRIAD's Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and senior research scientist. "This represents a very vulnerable population and we are responsible for working with mandated journalists, service providers, school systems and those who respond to these allegations to ensure that they have all the tools they need to respond. the complex needs of these people, children. "

According to Warren, children with ASD may be particularly vulnerable to abuse due to a variety of factors, including the presence of complex behavioral and cognitive disorders and language, increased caregiver stress, lower social support from the family and higher rates of caregiver isolation. addiction.

Autistic children are also more likely to work regularly with a team of providers who may be paying more attention than children without ASD, although the data from this study can neither confirm nor refute these badumptions.

"There are many things we still do not know, but I think this study highlights the need to start looking at these factors to better equip journalists and those who respond to these stories," Warren said.

Additional information on the types of abuse reported, differences in the clinical profiles of children along the autism spectrum, data on rates of child abuse with other types of abuse. Disability types and additional evidence of gender disparities may provide a more holistic view of the factors surrounding these outcomes.

Although the number of children with ASD referred for maltreatment is high, Warren admits that the rates found during the study could be conservative, as many cases of abuse are likely occurring without being reported.

Providers may also attribute signs of child maltreatment or behavioral problems, possibly forgetting to recognize symptoms that may be more easily identified in a typical developing child. Abuse reports can also be filed later in the child's life.

"We have been fortunate to collaborate with state-of-the-art leaders who also wish to understand these issues in order to better allocate resources to improve care," Warren said.

"The DCS, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education all have unique roles and responsibilities in thinking about caring for children, especially those belonging to vulnerable populations. allowed to merge these efforts. "