326645
Families “on the sidelines”: Palestinian parents' perspectives on autism service quality in the West Bank
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
: 4:56 p.m. - 5:09 p.m.
Background: The Palestinian healthcare system is strained, with few trained providers and insufficient disability-related supports. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the West Bank also reportedly experience discrimination and financial strain. However, researchers have not investigateds the quality of available ASD services in the West Bank. Aims: Parents of Palestinian children under age 18 with ASD participated in individual or group interviews. The interviewers questioned parents on their experiences with ASD services in the West Bank. Method: In total, 24 parents participated, representing 14 Palestinian villages and refugee camps. Interviewers utilized a semi-structured discussion guide to elicit parents’ perspectives on the quality of ASD services and supports in the West Bank. Interviews were transcribed and translated from Arabic to English, then coded and analyzed for major themes using NVivo10. Results: Parents described ASD services as insufficient, inappropriate for their children’s needs, and focused on non-therapeutic aims. Another significant theme was an overreliance on pharmaceuticals to manage ASD symptoms, in lieu of behavioral interventions. Parents reported addressing inadequacies in the service system in part through group advocacy efforts. Implications: Parents depicted the service array for children with ASD in the West Bank as weak. Epidemiological studies to assess the prevalence of ASD are critically needed to determine the level of need in the West Bank. In addition, governmental support and community participation to create ASD awareness, improve professional training, and increase financial assistance to families are necessary steps to improve quality of ASD care in the West Bank.
Learning Areas:
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Identify various challenges facing families attempting to access high-quality health and mental health services for children with autism in the West Bank
Discuss implications for public health practitioners related to individuals with special needs and their families in the West Bank and other low/middle-income and/or high-conflict areas of the world
Formulate strategies for future research, practice and policy efforts to improve service quality for children with autism in the West Bank
Keyword(s): Disabilities, International Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal investigator of two grants related to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. In addition, I have been involved in multiple other research efforts focused on caregivers of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition, I am a Clinical Social Worker with both domestic and international experience with families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
