"There is nothing"-Exploring diagnostic and service access for autistic individuals in Uruguay: A qualitative study.

IF 5.2 2区 心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENTAL
Autism Pub Date : 2025-06-17 DOI:10.1177/13623613251345334
Maria Cecilia Montenegro, Gabriela Garrido, Leyla Feize, Liza Talavera-Garza, Bianca T Villalobos, Cecilia Montiel-Nava
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Due to the higher autism research presence of higher-income countries, the known social and cultural experiences of families raising a child with autism are centered on their realities. This narrative overlooks the experiences of many families who do not fit this archetype, such as those residing in low- and middle-income countries, who are particularly challenged by the limited availability of trained professionals and barriers to accessing diagnosis and evidence-based treatments. That is the case in Latin American countries, such as Uruguay, where the present project transpires. By utilizing a Theory of Change framework, specifically developed to be used in low- and middle-income countries, the present study explores diagnostic and service barriers in Uruguay. The study included semi-structured interviews with caregivers of autistic individuals and key informants residing in Uruguay. Participants were selected using a purposive sample technique. Data analysis consisted of reflexive thematic analysis. Salient themes consisted of multiple barriers to diagnostic and service access due to a multistep process, limited awareness of autism characteristics, a hesitancy to provide a diagnosis, and few professionals who specialize in autism. For those residing outside the capital, additional difficulties were experienced.Lay AbstractCountries with higher monetary means to conduct research are able to have not only better knowledge of the realities of autistic individuals and their families but also better access to diagnostic and intervention services. In countries with lower income, there is limited understanding of autistic experiences and also issues with access to services due to multiple reasons, like services only being accessible in certain regions, few trained professionals, and long waitlists. This study seeks to understand possible diagnostic and service barriers experienced by autistic individuals residing in Uruguay. To understand the local realities, parents and specialists working with autistic individuals were interviewed, and the information gathered was analyzed by finding patterns that were used to form themes that included the shared experiences among participants. Some of the themes that were identified included reports of difficulties in accessing diagnosis and interventions, either because there were many steps needed to guarantee these services or because there was a limited awareness of autism spectrum disorder and its characteristics by providers, which resulted in a hesitation to diagnose. Also, participants described very few professionals who specialize in autism spectrum disorder. For those residing outside the capital, additional difficulties were experienced.

“什么都没有”-探索乌拉圭自闭症患者的诊断和服务:一项定性研究。
由于高收入国家的自闭症研究比例较高,因此已知的养育自闭症儿童的家庭的社会和文化经验以他们的现实为中心。这种叙述忽视了许多不符合这种典型的家庭的经历,例如生活在低收入和中等收入国家的家庭,他们尤其受到训练有素的专业人员有限以及获得诊断和循证治疗方面的障碍的挑战。本项目在乌拉圭等拉丁美洲国家开展,情况就是如此。本研究利用专门为低收入和中等收入国家开发的变革理论框架,探讨了乌拉圭的诊断和服务障碍。该研究包括对居住在乌拉圭的自闭症患者的护理人员和关键信息提供者进行半结构化访谈。参与者被选择使用有目的的样本技术。数据分析包括反身性专题分析。突出的主题包括由于多步骤的过程,对自闭症特征的认识有限,提供诊断的犹豫,以及专门研究自闭症的专业人员很少,因此在诊断和获得服务方面存在多种障碍。对于居住在首都以外的人来说,遇到了更多的困难。【摘要】有钱进行研究的国家不仅能够更好地了解自闭症患者及其家庭的现实情况,而且能够更好地获得诊断和干预服务。在收入较低的国家,人们对自闭症经历的了解有限,而且由于多种原因,比如只有某些地区才能获得服务,训练有素的专业人员很少,等待治疗的名单很长,因此在获得服务方面也存在问题。本研究旨在了解居住在乌拉圭的自闭症患者可能遇到的诊断和服务障碍。为了了解当地的现实情况,我们采访了自闭症患者的父母和专家,并通过寻找模式来分析收集到的信息,这些模式被用来形成主题,其中包括参与者之间的共同经历。确定的一些主题包括获得诊断和干预方面的困难报告,要么是因为需要采取许多步骤来保证这些服务,要么是因为提供者对自闭症谱系障碍及其特征的认识有限,导致对诊断犹豫不决。此外,参与者描述了很少有专门研究自闭症谱系障碍的专业人士。对于居住在首都以外的人来说,遇到了更多的困难。
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来源期刊
Autism
Autism PSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENTAL-
CiteScore
9.80
自引率
11.50%
发文量
160
期刊介绍: Autism is a major, peer-reviewed, international journal, published 8 times a year, publishing research of direct and practical relevance to help improve the quality of life for individuals with autism or autism-related disorders. It is interdisciplinary in nature, focusing on research in many areas, including: intervention; diagnosis; training; education; translational issues related to neuroscience, medical and genetic issues of practical import; psychological processes; evaluation of particular therapies; quality of life; family needs; and epidemiological research. Autism provides a major international forum for peer-reviewed research of direct and practical relevance to improving the quality of life for individuals with autism or autism-related disorders. The journal''s success and popularity reflect the recent worldwide growth in the research and understanding of autistic spectrum disorders, and the consequent impact on the provision of treatment and care. Autism is interdisciplinary in nature, focusing on evaluative research in all areas, including: intervention, diagnosis, training, education, neuroscience, psychological processes, evaluation of particular therapies, quality of life issues, family issues and family services, medical and genetic issues, epidemiological research.
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