Virginia H. Mackintosh

How many doctors does it take to make an autism spectrum diagnosis

Parents of children with pervasive developmental disorders (n = 494) were surveyed to determine their level of satisfaction with the process of getting an autism spectrum diagnosis. Participants in this web-based study (mean age = 37.8 years) came from five countries and reported on children with an average age of 8.3 years (range = 1.7 to 22.1). All children had a diagnosis of either autism (59.9%), Asperger syndrome (23.5%), or PDD-NOS (16.6%). Higher levels of parental education and income were associated with earlier diagnosis and greater satisfaction with the diagnostic process. Parents were more satisfied with the diagnostic process when they saw fewer professionals to get the diagnosis and when the children received the diagnoses at younger ages.

“What Do You Like/Dislike About the Treatments You’re Currently Using?” A Qualitative Study of Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often participate in many treatments, requiring parents’ dedication of time, money, and energy, and necessitating dealing with multiple service providers. To learn about parents’ experience in seeking and using treatments for their child with ASD, the authors asked them, “What do you like/dislike about the treatment(s) you’re currently using?” In this web-based, qualitative study, participants consisted of 486 parents (92% mothers) of children (80% boys; children’s M age = 8.3 years) with autism (n = 290, 59.7%), Asperger syndrome (n = 115, 23.6%), or pervasive developmental disorder—not otherwise specified (n = 81, 16.7%). The families lived in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, and Ireland. Parents’ written statements addressed more “dislikes” (70%) than “likes” (47%), and there were no universally liked or disliked interventions. Six themes emerged and are discussed: effectiveness of treatments, relationships with professionals, access to treatments, costs, medication concerns, and stress.