scholarly journals Implications of an Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis: An Interview Study of How Physicians Experience the Diagnosis in a Young Child

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delphine Jacobs ◽  
Jean Steyaert ◽  
Kris Dierickx ◽  
Kristien Hens
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Young Child ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis

Clinicians are significant translators and interpreters towards parents of the abundant literature on autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, how clinicians experience and view ASD and an ASD diagnosis is not well known. Sixteen physicians working with young children with a (presumed) diagnosis of ASD participated in a semi-structured interview. They described their professional view on ASD and an ASD diagnosis, and how they experienced its use in their clinical practice. Interpretative phenomenological analysis of the data revealed two main topics about physicians’ experiences: how they view ASD and an ASD diagnosis, and how they experience the implications of an ASD diagnosis. The latter topic comprised three themes: (1) the ASD diagnosis leads to a particular treatment trajectory and services; (2) ambivalence about how the ASD diagnosis impacts parents and child; and (3) psycho-relational functions of the ASD diagnosis. Physicians feel that some doubts and questions are inevitable when dealing clinically with ASD and an ASD diagnosis. They also perceive that there are certain risks associated with assigning the categorical ASD diagnosis to a young child. Altogether however, ASD is perceived by physicians as a useful and valuable diagnosis both because of treatment related consequences and of several psycho-relational implications.

scholarly journals Parents’ multi-layered expectations when requesting an Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment of their young child: an in-depth interview study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Delphine Jacobs ◽  
Jean Steyaert ◽  
Kris Dierickx ◽  
Kristien Hens
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Child ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Relational Experiences ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract Background Parents are valued stakeholders in research, clinical practice and policy development concerning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, little is known about what drives and moves parents besides their obvious worries and help request when they ask for a diagnostic ASD assessment of their child. Methods Seventeen Flemish parents of 11 young children participated in a longitudinal study consisting of three in-depth interviews before and after their child’s diagnostic ASD assessment. Data were analysed in Nvivo 11 according to the procedures of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results In this paper we report the results of the first series of interviews which were conducted after parents had asked for an ASD assessment of their young child, and before this assessment started. The pre-assessment experiences of the parents were dominated by the anticipation of various implications of an ASD diagnosis, comprising both positive and negative expectations. The theme of positive expectations consisted of two equally prominent subthemes: treatment-related implications but also expectations pertaining to their psychological and relational experiences. Conclusions This study suggests important issues for clinicians to bear in mind during a consultation with parents who request an ASD assessment of their young child. We argue that attending to and communicating about parents’ expectations prior to their child’s ASD assessment may help clinicians to better understand parents’ requests for help, and to address their needs more effectively.

scholarly journals Lived Experiences of Siblings of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in India: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 025371762110291
Author(s):  
Poornima Viswanathan ◽  
M. Thomas Kishore ◽  
Shekhar P. Seshadri
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Sibling Relationship ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Small Element ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Impact

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can impact the individual and their families. The impact on siblings is unique because they evolve from being another child in the family to a future adult who can be a potential resource to the family in supporting a member with ASD. Since the quality of care and support can be affected by the lived experiences of the carer and there are not many studies on siblings, this study examined the lived experiences of siblings of individuals with ASD. Methods: Fourteen siblings of individuals with ASD, aged 15–36 years, were recruited from a tertiary hospital, schools, and private institutes. A semistructured interview schedule was used to explore the lived experiences. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to identify the themes. Results: The themes based on IPA indicated that the siblings have very basic concerns like understanding the condition and complex issues such as coping, preparing for current and future roles, personal needs and expectations, need for a support system, and positive aspects of the sibling relationship. Nonetheless, the siblings minimized reporting their difficulties and focused more on the needs of the sibling with ASD. Conclusion: Siblings have diverse lived experiences, with a small element of positive experiences. Appropriate supports are needed to address the complexities of the lived experiences.

scholarly journals Parents Multi-layered Expectations when Requesting an Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment of their Young Child: an In-Depth Interview Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delphine Jacobs ◽  
Jean Steyaert ◽  
Kris Dierickx ◽  
Kristien Hens
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Child ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Relational Experiences ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract Background Parents are valued stakeholders in research, clinical practice and policy development concerning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, little is known about what drives and moves parents besides their obvious worries and help request when they ask for a diagnostic ASD assessment of their child. Methods Seventeen Flemish parents of 11 young children participated in a longitudinal study consisting of three in-depth interviews before and after their child’s diagnostic ASD assessment. Data were analysed in Nvivo 11 according to the procedures of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results In this paper we report the results of the first series of interviews which were conducted after parents had asked for an ASD assessment of their young child, and before this assessment started. The pre-assessment experiences of the parents were dominated by the anticipation of various implications of an ASD diagnosis, comprising both positive and negative expectations. The theme of positive expectations consisted of two equally prominent subthemes: treatment-related implications but also expectations pertaining to their psychological and relational experiences. Conclusions This study suggests important issues for clinicians to bear in mind during a consultation with parents who request an ASD assessment of their young child. We argue that attending to and communicating about parents’ expectations prior to their child’s ASD assessment may help clinicians to better understand parents’ requests for help, and to address their needs more effectively.

scholarly journals Lived experiences of siblings of individuals with Autism

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Poornima Viswanathan ◽  
M. Thomas Kishore ◽  
Shekhar Seshadri
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Support System ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Sibling Relationship ◽  
Spectrum Disorder

<p>Research on the experiences of siblings of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is scarce. The current study included 14 siblings of individuals with ASD to study their lived experiences. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to identify the following six themes: (i) Processing and understanding the condition, (ii) Coping with challenging experiences, (iii) Positive aspects of the sibling relationship, (iv) Current and future roles, (v) Support system, and (vi) Needs and expectations. The findings revealed that siblings had poor awareness of ASD and their experiences were predominantly negative. However, siblings minimized their difficulties and needs, and focused more on the needs of the sibling with ASD. These findings have specific implications for support services for siblings of individuals with ASD.</p>

Complexity: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experiences of mothers of deaf children with cochlear implants and autism

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 1173-1184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anat Zaidman-Zait ◽  
Deirdre Curle
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Cochlear Implants ◽  
Cochlear Implantation ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Educational Practice ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Deaf Children ◽  
Childhood Deafness

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of parenting a child with a dual diagnosis of childhood deafness and autism spectrum disorder who underwent cochlear implantation. Experiences of these parents are rarely discussed within the literature. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis was used to examine nine mothers of boys (4–9 years old) for understanding their parenting experiences. Three superordinate themes were identified: complexity, personal and family sacrifices and parent–professional partnerships. These themes provide a rich account of mothers’ interpretations of their experiences, and reflect the numerous challenges they face. This study helps expand the literature on cochlear implantation for children with autism spectrum disorder, and discusses implications for clinical and educational practice.

scholarly journals What Parents Expect when Requesting an Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment of their Young Child: an In-Depth Interview Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delphine Jacobs ◽  
Jean Steyaert ◽  
Kris Dierickx ◽  
Kristien Hens
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Child ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Assessment Data ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract Background Parents are valued stakeholders in research, clinical practice and policy development concerning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Little is known, however, about what drives and moves parents when they request a diagnostic ASD assessment of their child. Methods Seventeen Flemish parents of 11 young children participated in a longitudinal study consisting of three in-depth interviews before and after their child’s diagnostic ASD assessment. Data were analysed in Nvivo 11 according to the procedures of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results In this paper we report the results of the first series of interviews which were conducted after parents had asked for an ASD assessment of their young child, and before this assessment started. The pre-assessment experiences of the parents were dominated by the anticipation of various implications of an ASD diagnosis, comprising both positive and negative expectations. The theme of positive expectations consisted of two equally prominent subthemes: treatment-related implications but also psycho-relational expectations. Conclusions This study suggests important issues for clinicians to bear in mind during a consultation with parents who request an ASD assessment of their young child. We argue that attending to and communicating about parents’ expectations prior to their child’s ASD assessment may help clinicians to better understand parents’ requests for help, and to address their needs more effectively.

scholarly journals Parents' Multi-layered Expectations when Requesting an Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment of their Young Child: an In-Depth Interview Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delphine Jacobs ◽  
Jean Steyaert ◽  
Kris Dierickx ◽  
Kristien Hens
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Child ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Relational Experiences ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract Background Parents are valued stakeholders in research, clinical practice and policy development concerning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, little is known about what drives and moves parents besides their obvious worries and help request when they ask for a diagnostic ASD assessment of their child. Methods Seventeen Flemish parents of 11 young children participated in a longitudinal study consisting of three in-depth interviews before and after their child’s diagnostic ASD assessment. Data were analysed in Nvivo 11 according to the procedures of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results In this paper we report the results of the first series of interviews which were conducted after parents had asked for an ASD assessment of their young child, and before this assessment started. The pre-assessment experiences of the parents were dominated by the anticipation of various implications of an ASD diagnosis, comprising both positive and negative expectations. The theme of positive expectations consisted of two equally prominent subthemes: treatment-related implications but also expectations pertaining to their psychological and relational experiences. Conclusions This study suggests important issues for clinicians to bear in mind during a consultation with parents who request an ASD assessment of their young child. We argue that attending to and communicating about parents’ expectations prior to their child’s ASD assessment may help clinicians to better understand parents’ requests for help, and to address their needs more effectively.

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