Browsing by Subject "ryhmäkeskustelu"

Objectives. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that have a broad impact on the lives of children with ASD and their families. According to the eco-cultural theory, many factors affect a child and his or her rehabilitation, ranging from family's resources to rehabilitation and rehabilitation laws. In order to further develop the rehabilitation of children with ASD, there is a need for extensive research on the functioning of rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to find out views of professionals and parents on the rehabilitation of children aged 6 and younger in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa. Professionals working with children with ASD and the parents are used to identify risk factors, rehabilitative factors and development suggestions for rehabilitation of children with ASD. Methods. Group discussion was used as a research method. In addition to the chairman, the group discussion was attended by a representative of the Finnish Association for Autism and Asperger Syndrome, one occupational therapist, two speech-language pathologists, two early childhood special education teachers and one parent of a child with ASD. The group discussion was filmed, transcribed into a text file and analyzed by inductive content analysis. Results and conclusions. Challenges to identification and diagnosis, access to services and multiculturalism, as well as lack of education and knowledge, were identified as risk factors for the rehabilitation of children with ASD. In particular, changes in rehabilitation practices, co-operation between different professionals and peer support were seen as factors contributing to rehabilitation. The development proposals focused on early identification and diagnosis, service development, and information sharing and attitudes. The rehabilitation of children with ASD should be developed by enhancing early identification and diagnosis, developing services (for example by equalizing them and allocating resources for rehabilitation, providing early support and investing in early-stage intensive rehabilitation and parental guidance) and increasing autism-specific knowledge.