Service use of U.S. children with a developmental disability 2015-2018, by urbanicity

Data collected between 2015 and 2018 by the National Heath Interview Survey indicated the prevalence of developmental disability among U.S. children aged 3-17 years was significantly higher in rural, compared to urban, populations. An investigation into the utilization of health care and educational services showed that once diagnosed, those children living in rural areas were less likely to have seen a mental health professional or therapist, to have had a recent well-child checkup, or to have received Special Education or Early Intervention Services when compared with children living in urban areas. Diagnoses in this report included ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, blindness, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, moderate to profound hearing loss, intellectual disability, seizures in the past 12 months, stuttering or stammering in the past 12 months, or any other developmental delay. This statistic shows the services utilized by U.S. children aged 3-17 years ever diagnosed with a developmental disability as of 2015-2018, by urbanity.