Factors That May Influence Parent Treatment Decision Making for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Factors Affecting Parent Treatment Decisions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Brief Review

Parents and caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are faced with a vast array of treatment options, which vary greatly in evidence-based merits, and it is unclear what factors affect their final selections. Understanding the factors that influence family decisions can shed light on avenues for more effectively communicating the importance of selecting empirically supported treatments. In this article, we conducted a systematic literature review on how parents select evidence-based treatments for their children with ASD. We categorized treatment types using a combination of established resources, such as the National Standards Project (NSP), to determine the validity of research evidence for different ASD treatments. We reported the various treatment types, decision-making factors, and sources of recommendations across the literature, and compared those with earlier systematic literature reviews. The results of the present review indicate that parents' decisions are influenced by the accessibility of treatment, trust of practitioners, and alignment on factors such as parental values and the child's specific needs. We conclude with suggestions for practitioners and researchers on future research and wider adoption of evidence-based treatments (EBTs).

Age of Diagnosis and Demographic Factors Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Chinese Children: A Multi-Center Survey

PURPOSE

The present study investigated the age of diagnosis, treatment and demographic factors of Chinese children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), to provide a scientific basis for the early detection, diagnosis, and intervention of ASD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 1500 ASD children aged 2-7 years old from 13 cities in China were administered questionnaires to examine their diagnosis, treatment, and basic family information. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) was used to measure the symptoms and severity of ASD children, and the Children Neuropsychological and Behavior Scale-Revision 2016 (CNBS-R2016) was utilized to measure neurodevelopmental levels of ASD children.

RESULTS

We found that for children with ASD, the median (p25, p75) age for the initial detection of social behavioral developmental delay was 24 (18, 30) months, while the age for the initial diagnosis was 29 (24, 36) months and the age for the beginning of intervention was 33 (27, 42) months. Multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis suggested that in children with ASD whose parents were divorced, separated, or widowed, or whose mothers were engaged in physical work, the initial detection of social behavioral developmental delay happened later. For the children with ASD who lived in urban areas, had higher levels of ASD symptom severity or whose parents were not divorced or separated, the age for the initial diagnosis was earlier. For the children with ASD who lived in urban areas or whose mothers had received higher level of education, the earlier age for the beginning of intervention was observed, while for those with ASD whose mothers were engaged in physical work, the age for the beginning of training was later.

CONCLUSION

It is recommended to actively carry out health education of ASD and strengthen the support for ASD families to enhance their rehabilitation level.

A thematic analysis of influences on parents' autism intervention decisions

BACKGROUND

Factors impacting parents' selection of interventions for their child on the autism spectrum need to be understood in order to better support decision-making. The aim of the current study was to explore parent-reported influences on decisions.

METHOD

A sample of 14 Australian parents (13 mothers; 1 father) of a child (4-11 years) diagnosed on the autism spectrum were interviewed about their decisions regarding the use of interventions. A thematic analysis was used to identify prominent themes.

FINDINGS

A total of three themes, comprising 11 subthemes were identified. The primary themes were: finding interventions; meeting child and family needs; and acceptability and access.

CONCLUSION

Parents' responses highlighted influences on decisions to use evidence-based practices (e.g., behavioural therapies and social skills programs), as well as those with limited empirical support (e.g., animal-assisted therapy and dietary intervention). Influences frequently reported in extant research were reported by parents in this study (e.g., recommendations, logistics of access, and children's individual needs) as well as issues that warrant further investigation (e.g., coping with challenges and stress, importance of intervention intensity, and consideration of the whole family).

Necessary Information for the Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Integrative Review

Objective: To identify the available evidence on the necessary information for the families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Method: An integrative literature review carried out in six databases with specific descriptors for each one. Studies published on the theme between January 2014 and February 2020 available in full and free of charge were selected. For synthesis and analysis of data, thematic categorization was performed. 41 articles were included. Results: Two thematic categories were obtained. In the first category (“need for information”), the families’ lack of knowledge about ASD (treatment, how to deal with the child’s behavior, and future perspectives), rights of the child with ASD, and resources to obtain information were identified. The second category (“information support sources accessed by the families”) comprised informal sources (family members, friends, neighbors, and parents of children with ASD), formal sources (professionals and institutions), the Internet, and other resources (books, workshops, podcasts). Positive and negative aspects were found in the use of these sources. Conclusions: A pattern of information requested by the family was verified, as well as sources used to obtain it. These data are relevant to support the organization of sources of informational support for the families and the community.