Detailed contribution information
| Contribution title | 3023 - The meaning of the concept of autism in parenthood and in the clinic. An empirical study. |
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| Contribution code | PS03-22 (P) |
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| Form of presentation | Poster |
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| Abstract |
Background ASD still is a complex concept: after more than half a century of research and clinical experience much remains unknown about its essence, causes, neurobiological underpinnings, treatment and prognosis. Moreover, the autism concept is characterized by change and heterogeneity throughout its history (Verhoeff, 2013). Furthermore, it is unclear whether the research findings on ASD are translated into useful information for the clinic and for the parents (and their children). Few data are available about how parents and children experience an ASD diagnosis and even less is known about the experiences of clinicians of using an ASD diagnosis in their practice. For example, do they conceive of ASD as a medical disease, with a biological origin or do they also count in other factors that may lead to dysfunctioning of a particular child? Objectives This study’s aim is to investigate how the autism concept is understood and experienced by parents and physicians using an empirical-qualitative approach. Methods From the relevant empirical literature, I extracted themes and subthemes, and created semi-structured open-question interview guides for parents and physicians (Hannes & Lockwood, 2012). Parents of preschool children without an intellectual disability are interviewed at three different moments (prospective longitudinal study design) (Saldaña, 2003): (1) before the diagnostic assessment for the child (after the parents’ application), (2) two weeks after the parents received an ASD diagnosis for their child, and (3) 12 months later. Physicians with experience in preschool children without an intellectual disability but with (a presumption of) ASD are interviewed. The interview transcripts are analyzed with the grounded theory method (Corbin & Strauss, 2014). Results I will explain the rationale and the methodology of this study, and present the results of the analysis of the findings from the parent interviews at moment 1 (the beginning of the diagnostic assessment), and moment 2. Based on the literature review, my hypothesis is that how parents appreciate the concept of ASD will have changed before and after they have received the clinical diagnosis. Conclusion This empirical research will lead to an appreciation of the experience in parenthood and in the clinic of the ASD concept as it is customarily communicated nowadays, and to an appreciation of alternative concepts that parents and clinicians use. Recommendations for the clinic are suggested. |