ERIC Number: EJ1469362
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-May
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Available Date: 0000-00-00
'It Depends Entirely on the Nature of Those Supports': Community Perceptions of the Appropriateness of Early Support Services for Autistic Children
Rhylee Sulek1,2; Chris Edwards1,3; Ruth Monk4,5; Lee Patrick4; Sarah Pillar2; Andrew J. O. Whitehouse2; Hannah Waddington6
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v29 n5 p1275-1284 2025
Autistic advocates emphasise the need for neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based approaches to support services; however, little is known about broader community perspectives regarding the appropriateness of offering early support services to autistic children. This co-designed mixed-methods study employed surveys to gather insights from 253 participants in Australia and New Zealand, including autistic adults, parents, and professionals. Participants shared views on the appropriateness of early support services for autistic children. About half of participants indicated that it was appropriate to provide early support services, while the other half indicated that it depended on the nature of those support services. Reflexive thematic analysis resulted in three overarching themes which explain these views. 'They are children first, after all' emphasises the importance of preserving childhood experiences and involving children in decision-making. 'We shouldn't be aiming to fix the child' underscores the need for support services to align with neurodiversity-affirming approaches. Finally, 'Supports are beneficial' highlights the perceived positive impact that early, individualised support services can provide for autistic children. These findings predominantly signal a shift away from medicalised models towards a neurodiversity-affirming approach across participant groups.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Children, Adults, Parents, Professional Personnel, Attitudes, Early Intervention, Services, Access to Education, Program Effectiveness, Participative Decision Making
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia; New Zealand
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Griffith University, Australia; 2The Kids Research Institute Australia, Australia; 3Autism Spectrum Australia, Australia; 4Autism New Zealand, New Zealand; 5University of Auckland, New Zealand; 6Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand