Abstract
The community mental health (CMH) system provides treatment for behavioral and psychiatric problems in children with autism
spectrum disorders (ASD). Although parent stakeholder perspectives are important to improving care, these perspectives have
not been systematically examined for this population in the CMH sector. Twenty-one semi-structured qualitative interviews
were conducted with parents of children with ASD who received services in CMH clinics. Themes related to child clinical histories,
service access and experiences with the CMH system revealed a specific trajectory of service need identification, obtaining
a diagnosis, and experience with services. Each trajectory stage was marked by high parent stress. Results provide information
about the characteristics of children with ASD served in community mental health clinics and direction for targeted improvement
efforts.
spectrum disorders (ASD). Although parent stakeholder perspectives are important to improving care, these perspectives have
not been systematically examined for this population in the CMH sector. Twenty-one semi-structured qualitative interviews
were conducted with parents of children with ASD who received services in CMH clinics. Themes related to child clinical histories,
service access and experiences with the CMH system revealed a specific trajectory of service need identification, obtaining
a diagnosis, and experience with services. Each trajectory stage was marked by high parent stress. Results provide information
about the characteristics of children with ASD served in community mental health clinics and direction for targeted improvement
efforts.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10826-011-9506-8
- Authors
- Lauren Brookman-Frazee, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- Mary Baker-Ericzén, Child and Adolescent Services Research Center at Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
- Nicole Stadnick, Child and Adolescent Services Research Center at Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
- Robin Taylor, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- Journal Journal of Child and Family Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-2843
- Print ISSN 1062-1024