Acceptability and Cost Comparison of a Telehealth Intervention for Families of Children With Autism

Abstract

Intervention services positively impact outcomes of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. However, families face many burdens when accessing high-quality intervention services such as availability of providers, time, and cost; these burdens are often magnified for underserved families. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the acceptability (n = 17) and cost-effectiveness (n = 18) of a 12-week telehealth intervention among families of young children with ASD. To understand the acceptability of the intervention, caregivers completed a questionnaire about the process and content of the intervention. We then used descriptive statistics to calculate estimated cost differences between a Clinic-based Model, an In-Home Model, and a Telehealth Model. Results suggest that families found the intervention highly acceptable and effective, and telehealth would result in exponential savings for both families and providers. Telehealth provides a promising method for serving an increased number of families, particularly those in underserved and rural areas.