Chinese caregivers’ attitudes towards ABA-based interventions for their autistic children: a qualitative exploration

Abstract

Objectives

Interventions based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) are increasingly used for autistic children in China. However, there is limited knowledge about the attitudes of Chinese caregivers towards ABA-based interventions and their lived experiences. This study aims to preliminarily investigate caregiver experience and perceptions regarding ABA-based interventions through a phenomenological approach.

Methods

Eight Chinese caregivers of autistic children were interviewed to understand their attitudes towards and experiences of ABA-based interventions. Half of the caregivers’ autistic children were receiving ABA-based interventions, while the other half’s autistic children previously received ABA-based interventions.

Results

Five major themes were identified through analysis: 1) The beginning and termination of ABA-based interventions; 2) Mixed experiences of ABA-based interventions; 3) The high cost of ABA-based interventions; 4) The involvement of caregivers in ABA-based interventions; 5) Thoughts regarding ideal ABA-based interventions in future China. Both caregiver groups shared positive and negative experiences related to ABA-based interventions. Caregivers expressed concern regarding the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of ABA-based interventions in their communities and the country.

Conclusions

Implications for policymakers, service providers, and caregivers are discussed: 1) Enhancing the professional workforce for ABA-based interventions; 2) Empowering advocacy and navigating culture; 3) Optimizing the distribution of ABA resources in China; 4) Developing caregiver training and family-centered ABA-based interventions.

Keywords:

• Chinese caregivers
• applied behavior analysis
• intervention
• autism

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank the caregivers and their autistic children who made this study possible. We would also like to thank Hongrui “Jackson” Qiu for his research assistance. The authors acknowledge and honor the preference for identity-first language among autistic individuals, self-advocacy groups, and autistic communities. We also acknowledge this preference differs among individuals and interested parties.

Author note

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of University of Minnesota (STUDY00017393). This study did not receive external funding. The authors do not have any conflicts of interest to disclose.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study and author positionality statements are available on request from the corresponding author.