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Valderrama A, Nikièma B, Forgeot d’Arc B, Guerrero L, Giroux M. Revealing the Most Vulnerable Groups: Courtesy Stigma in Caregivers of Autistic Persons in Quebec. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1320816. [PMID: 39144608 PMCID: PMC11323393 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1320816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Caregivers of autistic persons often face "courtesy stigma," a phenomenon by which caregivers experience stigma because of their association with a person whose disability may be stigmatized. Understanding the repercussions of this stigma is crucial not only for caregivers' mental health but also for the quality of care provided to their dependent. This study aimed to explore courtesy stigma among caregivers of autistic persons in Quebec, examining its prevalence and impact in order to identify groups that are particularly susceptible to negative outcomes. Methods This study used a cross-sectional online survey methodology employing quota sampling to collect responses from 194 participants. Data were collected using a computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) platform. The impact of courtesy stigma was measured in terms of care burden, mental health, and overall well-being of caregivers. Results The findings revealed that caregivers frequently experience rejection, isolation, and work-related challenges. Notably, caregivers' health was below average with the lowest reported health outcomes in Quebec. The caregivers who are the most vulnerable to negative outcomes included female caregivers, those aged 45 or older, financially strained households, caregivers of children requiring elevated levels of support, caregivers who isolated due to their autistic dependents, and those who experienced stigmatization directed at themselves or their children in the form of rejection.Interestingly, 60% of respondents reported that the caregiving burden was "not at all" to "somewhat" difficult, raising questions about factors that may mitigate caregiving challenges over time. Conclusion Negative outcomes from courtesy stigma vary depending on certain risk factors and individual characteristic. This study underscores the need for targeted public policies and interventions, particularly for those at a higher risk of experiencing the negative effects of courtesy stigma on the burden of care, overall health, and mental health. By tailoring resources and support for these priority groups, we can better address the challenges faced by families of autistic persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Valderrama
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital and Research Centre of Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Béatrice Nikièma
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital and Research Centre of Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Baudouin Forgeot d’Arc
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital and Research Centre of Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Lucila Guerrero
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital and Research Centre of Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- The Office of Patient-Family-Caregiver Partnership, Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mathieu Giroux
- The Office of Patient-Family-Caregiver Partnership, Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Yip CCH, Chan KKS. Longitudinal impact of public stigma and courtesy stigma on parents of children with autism spectrum disorder: The moderating role of trait mindfulness. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2022; 127:104243. [PMID: 35661545 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the public and courtesy stigma of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are prevalent, there are very few studies examining their adverse psychological effects on parents of children with ASD or exploring plausible factors that can alleviate these adverse effects. The present study addressed these literature gaps by investigating the longitudinal linkages of public and courtesy stigma to detrimental cognitive (i.e., self-stigma content and process) and affective (i.e., perceived stress and symptoms of depression and anxiety) consequences for parents of children with ASD and testing if these linkages would be moderated by trait mindfulness. METHODS At two time points separated by 12 months, 372 Hong Kong parents of children with ASD provided questionnaire data on public and courtesy stigma, mindfulness, self-stigma content and process, perceived stress, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. RESULTS Hierarchical regressions showed that public and courtesy stigma interacted significantly with mindfulness at baseline in predicting self-stigma content and process, perceived stress, and symptoms of depression and anxiety at follow-up. Moreover, simple slope analyses showed that the linkages of public and courtesy stigma to the five detrimental psychological consequences were weaker in parents with high mindfulness than in those with low mindfulness. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the longitudinal linkages of public and courtesy stigma to detrimental cognitive and affective consequences for parents of children with ASD, and reveal the plausible protective effects of mindfulness against such linkages. These findings suggest the potential utility of increasing mindfulness in parents of children with ASD in coping with community stigma and improving mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin Ka Shing Chan
- Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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Leadbitter K, Smallman R, James K, Shields G, Ellis C, Langhorne S, Harrison L, Hackett L, Dunkerley A, Kroll L, Davies L, Emsley R, Bee P, Green J. REACH-ASD: a UK randomised controlled trial of a new post-diagnostic psycho-education and acceptance and commitment therapy programme against treatment-as-usual for improving the mental health and adjustment of caregivers of children recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Trials 2022; 23:585. [PMID: 35869533 PMCID: PMC9306249 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06524-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability affecting over 1% of UK children. The period following a child's autism diagnosis can present real challenges in adaptation for families. Twenty to 50% of caregivers show clinically significant levels of mental health need within the post-diagnostic period and on an ongoing basis. Best practice guidelines recommend timely post-diagnostic family support. Current provision is patchy, largely unevidenced, and a source of dissatisfaction for both families and professionals. There is a pressing need for an evidenced programme of post-diagnostic support focusing on caregiver mental health and adjustment, alongside autism psycho-education. This trial tests the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a new brief manualised psychosocial intervention designed to address this gap. METHODS This is a multi-centre two-parallel-group single (researcher)-blinded randomised controlled trial of the Empower-Autism programme plus treatment-as-usual versus usual local post-diagnostic offer plus treatment-as-usual. Caregivers of children aged 2-15 years with a recent autism diagnosis will be recruited from North West England NHS or local authority centres. Randomisation is individually by child, with one "index" caregiver per child, stratified by centre, using 2:1 randomisation ratio to assist recruitment and timely intervention. Empower-Autism is a group-based, manualised, post-diagnostic programme that combines autism psycho-education and psychotherapeutic components based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support caregiver mental health, stress management and adjustment to their child's diagnosis. The comparator is any usual local group-based post-diagnostic psycho-education offer. Receipt of services will be specified through health economic data. PRIMARY OUTCOME caregiver mental health (General Health Questionnaire-30) at 52-week follow-up. SECONDARY OUTCOMES key caregiver measures (wellbeing, self-efficacy, adjustment, autism knowledge) at 12-, 26- and 52-week follow-up and family and child outcomes (wellbeing and functioning) at 52-week endpoint. SAMPLE N=380 (approximately 253 intervention/127 treatment-as-usual). Primary analysis will follow intention-to-treat principles using linear mixed models with random intercepts for group membership and repeated measures. Cost-effectiveness acceptability analyses will be over 52 weeks, with decision modelling to extrapolate to longer time periods. DISCUSSION If effective, this new approach will fill a key gap in the provision of evidence-based care pathways for autistic children and their families. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN 45412843 . Prospectively registered on 11 September 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Leadbitter
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Richard Smallman
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Kirsty James
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Gemma Shields
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Ceri Ellis
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sophie Langhorne
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Louisa Harrison
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Latha Hackett
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Leo Kroll
- Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Ashton-under-Lyne, UK
| | - Linda Davies
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Richard Emsley
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Penny Bee
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jonathan Green
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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Green J, Leadbitter K, Ainsworth J, Bucci S. An integrated early care pathway for autism. THE LANCET. CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2022; 6:335-344. [PMID: 35303486 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(22)00037-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
In this Viewpoint, we argue for the need to reconceptualise an integrated early-care provision for autistic children in the light of their enduring support needs and relevant new findings from developmental and intervention research. This model goes beyond short-term reactive care to outline an early proactive, evidenced, developmentally phased, and scalable programme of support for autistic children and their families from the earliest opportunity, with timely access to later step-up care when needed. We also integrate this model with emerging opportunities from data science and digital health technologies as a potential facilitator of such a pathway. Building on this work, we argue that the best current autism intervention evidence can be integrated with concepts and evidence gained in the management of other enduring health conditions to support an autistic child and their family through their early development. The aim is to improve those children's social communication abilities, expand their range and flexibility of interests, and mitigate any negative impacts of sensory difficulties and restricted, repetitive behaviours on the child and their family wellbeing. The pathway solutions described could also be adapted for older adolescents and adults and could be used within the health systems of different countries, including within low-income and middle-income contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Green
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester, UK; Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Manchester Royal Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK.
| | - Kathy Leadbitter
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester, UK
| | - John Ainsworth
- Division of Imaging, Informatics and Data Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sandra Bucci
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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Lyu M, Zhao Q, Yang Y, Hao X, Qin Y, Li K. Benefits of and barriers to telehealth for the informal caregivers of elderly individuals in rural areas: A scoping review. Aust J Rural Health 2022; 30:442-457. [PMID: 35460580 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Maintaining care for elderly individuals in rural areas is heavily dependent on support from informal caregivers. Many informal caregivers of the elderly in rural areas feel burdened and urgently require professional support. Interests in telehealth that can provide support irrespective of geographical location have been increasing. OBJECTIVE To identify the benefits of and barriers in telehealth engagement for rural caregivers to provide evidence for service improvement. DESIGN A scoping review method was used following PRISMA-ScR guidelines and Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage framework. Five databases were searched. The search terms were chosen based on the target intervention (i.e. telehealth), target population (caregivers of elderly individuals) and target context (rural areas). Two authors independently assessed the eligibility of studies and extracted data from eligible studies. FINDINGS Of 4220 retrieved studies, 19 articles met the inclusion criteria. This study identified four benefits of and two barriers to telehealth for rural caregivers. Four subthemes were identified as the key benefits in using telehealth for caregivers: decrease in psychological distress, increase in care efficiency, increase in social support and increase in access to resources, while inadequate telehealth infrastructures and caregivers' own reasons were the primary barriers in using telehealth for those populations. CONCLUSIONS Telehealth was shown to significantly benefit rural caregivers. Future research can be designed and conducted for overcoming the barriers to telehealth. Additionally, the benefits identified by this review need to be translated from research into practice for rural caregivers' care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaohua Lyu
- School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qiheng Zhao
- Orthopaedics Department, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuhang Yang
- School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaonan Hao
- School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuan Qin
- School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Kun Li
- School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Han E, Scior K, Avramides K, Crane L. A systematic review on autistic people's experiences of stigma and coping strategies. Autism Res 2021; 15:12-26. [PMID: 34881514 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Autism can be understood as a concealable stigmatized identity. This is the first systematic review to synthesize the literature on autistic people's experiences of stigma and coping strategies. 2877 studies were screened and 27 were included in this review. The reviewed literature demonstrates that autistic individuals are acutely aware of being stereotyped, judged, and discriminated by others. Autistic people also show signs of internalizing stigma, rendering them more vulnerable to low self-worth and poorer mental health. To manage the impact of stigma, the included studies suggest that autistic individuals may use these strategies: concealment and camouflaging, selective disclosure and self-advocacy, as well as positive reframing and reconstructing identity. However, the evidence is limited and mixed in terms of how helpful and effective these strategies are. Future studies should include autistic populations with a wider range of intellectual abilities and explore interventions that can support autistic people in managing stigma to supplement interventions that seek to reduce stigma towards autistic people. The power of language in perpetuating and challenging stigma also has important implications for research and practice, underscoring the need for researchers and practitioners to reflect carefully on the messages they are communicating about autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeline Han
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), UCL Institute of Education, London, UK
| | - Katrina Scior
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, UCL Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, London, UK
| | - Katerina Avramides
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, London, UK
| | - Laura Crane
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), UCL Institute of Education, London, UK
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Oduyemi AY, Okafor IP, Eze UT, Akodu BA, Roberts AA. Internalization of stigma among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in Nigeria: a mixed method study. BMC Psychol 2021; 9:182. [PMID: 34802470 PMCID: PMC8607563 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-021-00687-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD) has uniquely stigmatizing aspects because children with ASD have no physical markers of their condition. Parents are usually blamed and judgment from others is often internalized (felt stigma). Aim This study was conducted to determine knowledge about ASD, negative experiences (enacted stigma), internalization of stigma (felt or self stigma) and its correlates among parents of children with ASD in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 230 parents in Lagos, Nigeria employing mixed-method data collection methods. Quantitative data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed with Epi- Info™ version 7.0 statistical package. Data were summarized with proportions, mean and standard deviation. Chi square and Spearman’s correlation tests were done, and the level of significance was pre-determined at 5% (p < 0.05). In-depth interviews were also conducted among six parents to further explore the topic. The interviews were analyzed narratively. Results The proportion of mothers and fathers were 175 (76.1%) and 55 (23.9%) respectively. The mean age of respondents was 42 ± 8.5 years. Overall knowledge of ASD was very poor as only 3(1.3%) had good knowledge. Overall, 122(53%) usually had negative experience of parenting a child with ASD (enacted stigma), mothers (17.1%) more than fathers (9.1%). Majority 192(83.5%) internalized stigma. There was a low–moderate correlation between ‘enacted’ stigma and ‘internalized’ stigma (ρ- 0.400, p < 0.001). From in-depth interviews, many parents revealed that their child’s condition had negative effects on the family. Many also recounted negative experience of stigma.
Conclusion Overall, parents of children with ASD had poor knowledge of the condition. Majority internalized stigma and this increases with negative treatment from others. Parents should be properly educated about ASD. Community-based education to increase awareness about ASD in addition to encouraging people to show empathy and reduce stigmatizing behaviour towards parents of children with ASD are recommended.
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-021-00687-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aminat Y Oduyemi
- Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Ifeoma P Okafor
- Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
| | - Ugochukwu T Eze
- Department of Community Health, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Babatunde A Akodu
- Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Alero A Roberts
- Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
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Čolić M, Dababnah S, Milačić-Vidojević I. A model of internalized stigma in parents of individuals with disabilities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2021; 68:924-932. [PMID: 36568618 PMCID: PMC9788690 DOI: 10.1080/20473869.2021.1924032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Background: Stigma has negative impacts on both individuals with disabilities and their caregivers, including poor mental health and social isolation. In the present study, we aimed to test a model of stigma internalization among parents of individuals with disabilities, as this process in not yet completely understood. Aim: Specifically, we explored effects of experienced stigma and neuroticism on affiliate stigma and examined whether perceived stigma and self-blame are mediators in a stigma internalization model. Methods: We recruited 82 parents of individuals with disabilities in Serbia over the course of six months. Parents were asked about perceived stigma, experienced stigma, affiliate stigma, self-blame, and they completed an assessment of personality traits. Results: Both experienced stigma and neuroticism were positively correlated with affiliate stigma. In addition, perceived stigma was a mediator between these variables: parents who experienced stigma more and had higher neuroticism scores reported higher degrees of perceived stigma, which in turn positively affected affiliate stigma. Self-blame was not a significant mediator in the tested model. Conclusion: We conclude stigma internalization among parents of individuals with disabilities is a complex process, involving experienced stigma, neuroticism, and perceived stigma. Interventions should include multiple paths to adequately support parents to combat stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Čolić
- Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sarah Dababnah
- School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Leadbitter K, Buckle KL, Ellis C, Dekker M. Autistic Self-Advocacy and the Neurodiversity Movement: Implications for Autism Early Intervention Research and Practice. Front Psychol 2021; 12:635690. [PMID: 33912110 PMCID: PMC8075160 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.635690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The growth of autistic self-advocacy and the neurodiversity movement has brought about new ethical, theoretical and ideological debates within autism theory, research and practice. These debates have had genuine impact within some areas of autism research but their influence is less evident within early intervention research. In this paper, we argue that all autism intervention stakeholders need to understand and actively engage with the views of autistic people and with neurodiversity as a concept and movement. In so doing, intervention researchers and practitioners are required to move away from a normative agenda and pay diligence to environmental goodness-of-fit, autistic developmental trajectories, internal drivers and experiences, and autistic prioritized intervention targets. Autism intervention researchers must respond to these debates by reframing effectiveness, developing tools to measure autistic prioritized outcomes, and forming partnerships with autistic people. There is a pressing need for increased reflection and articulation around how intervention practices align with a neurodiversity framework and greater emphasis within intervention programmes on natural developmental processes, coping strategies, autonomy, and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Leadbitter
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Leneh Buckle
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- The Autscape Organisation, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Ceri Ellis
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Martijn Dekker
- The Autscape Organisation, Coventry, United Kingdom
- The European Council of Autistic People, Prague, Czechia
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Lodder A, Papadopoulos C, Randhawa G. Using a blended format (videoconference and face to face) to deliver a group psychosocial intervention to parents of autistic children. Internet Interv 2020; 21:100336. [PMID: 32939343 PMCID: PMC7479349 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2020.100336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parents and carers of autistic children report poor mental health. Autism stigma is a strong contributing factor to poor parental mental health, yet there are currently no interventions available that are evidenced to improve parents' mental health in part through increasing resilience to stigma. Childcare and travel are well known barriers to attendance and attrition rates for this population are high. METHODS A blended format psychosocial group support intervention was developed with the aim to improve parental mental health. Three sessions were delivered face to face, and five sessions via videoconference. A secret Facebook group was set up to support the intervention and increase retention rates. Mixed methods were used to assess the feasibility and acceptability of this mode of delivery for both the facilitator and service users. Attendance rates, fidelity and implementation issues are discussed. A qualitative focus group was conducted (n = 9) to explore the acceptability to the participants. Framework analysis was used to analyse the findings. RESULTS Attendance rates were high with the online sessions having significantly higher attendance rates than the face to face sessions. The findings of the qualitative evaluation suggest that participants are positive about videoconferencing for a group support intervention. The facilitator reported sound quality, background distractions and late arrivals as challenges; the participants on the other hand, reported that the benefits far outweighed the negatives. Suggestions for improvement are made. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that videoconference is a well-received method to provide a group support intervention to parents. Only preliminary conclusions can be drawn, owing to the small sample size.
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