Treating Children with ASD: The Perspective of Caregivers
Open accessAbstract
Purpose: Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is challenging. Parents/caregivers’ perspective on the effectiveness of therapies and services available to their children is important but neglected in the literature on ASD. This study investigated such perspective through questionnaire-guided interviews with a group of parents in the province of Manitoba (Canada). A secondary objective of the study was to explore how health care professionals and specifically pharmacists can assist in providing better care to children with ASD. Methods: Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Data on diagnoses and prescribed medications were collected from medical charts. Parents/caregivers completed questionnaires during interviews scheduled at their convenience. Specific questions were asked to gather caregivers/parents’ perspectives on the effectiveness of medications and non-pharmacological interventions in controlling symptoms experienced by their children. Information on access to education and health services was also assessed. Common themes were identified using thematic analysis. Results: All children attended school, 88% were males, 50% experienced eating/sleeping difficulties; 69% reported Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder comorbidity. Risperidone was reported to be effective in controlling aggressive behaviours. Methylphenidate and aripiprazole were often discontinued. Melatonin and occupational therapy services were said to be very useful. Access to behavioural therapy was often limited. Parents were concerned about lack of trained professionals in schools, limited understanding of their children’s needs, and uncertainty for the future. Conclusions: Better education and awareness are necessary to help ASD children and their families. Pharmacists should explore opportunities to provide better services. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.
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Six studies used an indicator of complexity of the autism condition, with the majority (n=4) loosely classified as 'medium to high functioning'.
“Six studies used an indicator of complexity of the autism condition (Breik et al., 2018; Brown & Brown, 2014; Davignon et al., 2014; Duker et al., 2017; Nicholas et al., 2016; Strunk et al., 2014; Thomas et al., 2018), with the majority ( n = 4) of these loosely classified as 'medium to high functioning' (Breik et al., 2018; Brown & Brown, 2014; Davignon et al., 2014; Strunk et al.,”
From A meta‐synthesis of how parents of children with autism describe their experience of accessing and using routine healthcare services for their children (2021) · cites this paper as Breik et al., 2018
Parents recommended that HCPs consider ease of access.
“HCPs to consider ease of access (Breik et al., 2018).”
From A meta‐synthesis of how parents of children with autism describe their experience of accessing and using routine healthcare services for their children (2021) · cites this paper as Breik et al., 2018
Parents articulated challenges in their descriptions of their direct experiences of health services or as suggestions for changes, based on their experiences.
“Parents articulated challenges in their descriptions of their direct experiences of health services or as suggestions for changes, based on their experiences (Breik et al., 2018; Brown & Brown, 2014; Bultas, 2012; Davignon et al., 2014; Russell & McCloskey, 2016; Strunk et al., 2014; Thomas et al., 2018).”
From A meta‐synthesis of how parents of children with autism describe their experience of accessing and using routine healthcare services for their children (2021) · cites this paper as Breik et al., 2018
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- Authors
- Breik, N., Kuo, I. F., Bugden, S., Moffat, M., & Alessi-Severini, S.
- Affiliations
- University of Manitoba (CA)
- Venue
- Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Published
- 2018-05-07
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 1s
- Pages
- 74s-87s
- ISSN
- 1482-1826 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2799473455
- Cited by
- 7
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 0.45
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- University of Manitoba
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, children with autism, caregiver perspectives, parents, pharmacists, medication effectiveness, risperidone, methylphenidate, aripiprazole, melatonin, occupational therapy, ADHD comorbidity, aggression, health care access, access to education
- MeSH terms
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adolescent, Central Nervous System Depressants, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Melatonin, Caregivers
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