Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment (Sep 2021)

Parents of Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Do They Expect and Experience from Preschools?

  • Westman Andersson G,
  • Gillberg N,
  • Miniscalco C

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 17
pp. 3025 – 3037

Abstract

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Gunilla Westman Andersson,1,2 Nanna Gillberg,3 Carmela Miniscalco4 1Department of Education and Special Education, Faculty of Education, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; 2Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; 3Department of Business Administration, School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; 4Neuropsychiatric Department and Pediatric Speech and Language Pathology Department, Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital & Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SwedenCorrespondence: Gunilla Westman AnderssonDepartment of Education and Special Education, Box 300, Gothenburg, 40530, SwedenTel +46 31 342 5970Email [email protected]: In Sweden, children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as well as other children in need of special support, according to the law should be provided stimulation and support for their development in their preschools. Parents of children diagnosed with ASD have been shown to struggle to ensure the right to support for their child from society, including in preschool. This study reports parent expectations and experiences when having a child diagnosed with ASD in preschool.Methods: A questionnaire with 12 open-ended and 9 multiple-choice questions was completed by parents of 26 children (3 girls, 23 boys, mean age 4:3 years). The children had been diagnosed with ASD within the last year. The data were analyzed using a qualitative inductive approach with a content analysis of the open-ended questions.Findings and Conclusions: This study shows that parents expect competence and knowledge about ASD among preschool staff, including the principal. They need continuous dialogue between parents and the preschool staff and expect individualized support for their child. Concerns about their child in preschool frequently occurred.Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, children, parents, preschool

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