Parent Perspectives on Assisted Communication and Autism Spectrum Disorder

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study provides phenomenological qualitative evidence that use of AC provides benefits to the parent-child relationship. Plain-Language Summary: This study investigated the lived experience of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and how the use of assisted communication (AC) affected their relationship with their child. Ten parents were interviewed. Four main topics emerged from the analysis of these interviews: (1) improved closeness in relationship, (2) improved ability to plan for the future, (3) wish for improved availability of service providers, and (4) improved understanding of who the child is as a person. Parents play a key role as team members in support of the child's performance in occupations. The results of this study suggest that AC plays an important role in supporting the parent-child relationship; therefore, AC programs should be considered when implementing and planning occupational therapy treatments for individuals who have communication impairments.PMID:38153917 | DOI:10.5014/ajot.2024.050343
Source: The American Journal of Occupational Therapy - Category: Occupational Health Authors: Source Type: research