A pilot study of social inclusion and quality of life for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder

ABSTRACT

Background Access to both childcare and early intervention for pre-school children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be difficult for parents or carers and may impact on parental social inclusion and wellbeing. There is limited research investigating how specialist centres offering both services may impact on parental outcomes.

Method Parents whose children were attending such a specialised childcare setting in two states in Australia (Tasmania and South Australia) were invited to participate in a mixed-methods study investigating quality of life (Qol), social inclusion and perceptions of the centres.

Results Parents had typically low levels of QoL but reported a range of benefits from receiving services, including increased levels of community participation and increased competence and confidence in themselves as parents.

Conclusions Childcare centres offering specialist multi-disciplinary early intervention and parental support are valued by parents and assist with social inclusion.

KEYWORDS:

• autism spectrum disorder
• quality of life
• parental perceptions
• early intervention
• multidisciplinary
• social inclusion

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Colleen Cheek http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9426-1102

Additional information

Funding

This research was commissioned by the NWTas ASELCC and Anglicare SA.This research was funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. This funding body has imposed no restrictions on free access to or publication of the research data. The authors have no financial conflict of interest. While three of the authors do work for the childcare organisations which are the subject of the research, these authors were blinded to study participants, and did not play a role in data collection and analysis, but provided helpful insight in appropriate methodology and discussion of findings, and reviewed manuscript drafts.