Understanding Hong Kong Chinese Families’ Experiences of an Autism/ASD Diagnosis

• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2650-z
• Publication Date: 2015-11-16T13:57:16Z
• Authors: Kathleen Tait; Francis Fung; Aihua Hu; Naomi Sweller; Wei Wang
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Parents; Cultural Characteristics; Adolescent; 4. Education; 05 social sciences; Infant; 3. Good health; Attitude; Child, Preschool; Quality of Life; Hong Kong; Humans; Female; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Autistic Disorder; Child

Little is known about the experience of Chinese parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) living in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Seventy-five parents of children (aged 6 months-18 years) with ASD diagnoses completed the Family Quality of Life Scale. Forty-five parents from the original surveyed cohort, also participated in semi-structured interviews. Parents' perceptions of their child's disability were influenced both by their cultural background and by the limited and expensive, pre- and post-diagnostic services available. Longer waiting times to diagnosis were associated with lower emotional well-being and perceived disability-related support. Clinicians are encouraged to become part of the support network for parents of children with ASD, to help parents to adjust to caring for their child.