Introduction: Conduct problems are commonly reported among individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and children with other special health care needs (CSHCN). Environmental research indicates that exposure to natural environments can lead to decreased conduct problems; opposite effects (i.e., increased problems) are associated with built “gray” environments (e.g., roadways).

Methods: This exploratory study analyzed the association between Zip-code level tree canopy coverage and severity of conduct problems in typical children, children with ASD, and CSHCN. Tree canopy data came from National Land Cover Database and ASD data came from the cross-sectional National Survey of Children’s Health (2011/2012).

Results: Percent tree canopy coverage predicted a decreased risk of severe conduct problems in youth with ASD, but not CSHCN; “gray” space was unassociated with conduct problems in any children.

Conclusions: Community tree canopy coverage is negatively associated with conduct problems in children with ASD. More research using individual assessments and street level metrics will help better determine the relationship between canopy coverage and conduct problems in ASD.

简介：自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的人和有其他特殊保健需要的儿童（CSHCN）通常报告行为问题。环境研究表明，暴露于自然环境可以减少行为问题；相反的影响（即问题增加）与已建立的“灰色”环境（例如道路）相关。

方法：这项探索性研究分析了邮政编码儿童树冠层覆盖率与典型儿童，自闭症儿童和CSHCN儿童行为问题严重程度之间的关系。树木冠层数据来自国家土地覆盖数据库，而ASD数据来自全国儿童健康横断面调查（2011/2012年）。

结果：树冠覆盖率预示着ASD青年（而非CSHCN）发生严重行为问题的风险降低。“灰色”空间与任何儿童的行为问题无关。

结论：社区树冠覆盖与ASD儿童的行为问题负相关。使用个人评估和街道水平度量进行的更多研究将有助于更好地确定冠层覆盖率与ASD行为问题之间的关系。