Hassan Shahrokhi1, Akbar Ghiasi2, Kamal Gholipour3, Leila Mehdizadeh Fanid4, Hamid Reza Shamekhi5, Shabnam Iezadi6. 1. Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. 2. HEB School of Business & Administration, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, USA. 3. Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. 4. Division of Cognitive Neuroscience. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology. University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. 5. Education Development Office (EDO), Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz Azad Islamic University, Tabriz, Iran. 6. Hospital Management Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. sh_iezadi@yahoo.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to explore to explore the viewpoints of parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and professionals regarding the implementation of screening programs for ASD, to explore the challenges of the implementation of a universal screening program for ASD in Iran from their viewpoints, and, to explore their recommendations to overcome the potential challenges. METHOD: This qualitative study was conducted using an inductive content analysis, between June 2018 and December 2018, in East-Azerbaijan province of Iran. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The participants were purposively selected among two groups: representatives of health system and representatives of children with ASD. A sample of 32 parents and 30 professionals were recruited in this study. RESULTS: Totally, 9 main themes and 23 sub-themes were extracted in three main areas including: viewpoints of the participants about universal screening for ASD, challenges in implementation of the universal screening program, and participants' recommendations about how to overcome the potential challenges. Main challenges in implementation of the universal screening program included: shortages of ASD screening tools, weakness of the health system, lack of coordination among the ASD service providers, and social and ethical issues. CONCLUSION: The parents and the professionals had different viewpoints about the implementation of ASD universal screening program in Iran. According to the professionals, there is not enough rational to implement ASD screening program for all children. However, the parents believed that universal screening program is inevitable, and it should be implemented in primary health centers during the early child-care visits. The results of this study open up unspoken issues that could help in initiating the screening program not only in Iran but also in other low- and middle-income countries as well.
BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to explore to explore the viewpoints of parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and professionals regarding the implementation of screening programs for ASD, to explore the challenges of the implementation of a universal screening program for ASD in Iran from their viewpoints, and, to explore their recommendations to overcome the potential challenges. METHOD: This qualitative study was conducted using an inductive content analysis, between June 2018 and December 2018, in East-Azerbaijan province of Iran. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The participants were purposively selected among two groups: representatives of health system and representatives of children with ASD. A sample of 32 parents and 30 professionals were recruited in this study. RESULTS: Totally, 9 main themes and 23 sub-themes were extracted in three main areas including: viewpoints of the participants about universal screening for ASD, challenges in implementation of the universal screening program, and participants' recommendations about how to overcome the potential challenges. Main challenges in implementation of the universal screening program included: shortages of ASD screening tools, weakness of the health system, lack of coordination among the ASD service providers, and social and ethical issues. CONCLUSION: The parents and the professionals had different viewpoints about the implementation of ASD universal screening program in Iran. According to the professionals, there is not enough rational to implement ASD screening program for all children. However, the parents believed that universal screening program is inevitable, and it should be implemented in primary health centers during the early child-care visits. The results of this study open up unspoken issues that could help in initiating the screening program not only in Iran but also in other low- and middle-income countries as well.
Authors: Elizabeth R Crais; Cara S McComish; Betsy P Humphreys; Linda R Watson; Grace T Baranek; J Steven Reznick; Rob B Christian; Marian Earls Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2014-09
Authors: Lisa Jones; Mark A Bellis; Sara Wood; Karen Hughes; Ellie McCoy; Lindsay Eckley; Geoff Bates; Christopher Mikton; Tom Shakespeare; Alana Officer Journal: Lancet Date: 2012-07-12 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Maureen S Durkin; Mayada Elsabbagh; Josephine Barbaro; Melissa Gladstone; Francesca Happe; Rosa A Hoekstra; Li-Ching Lee; Alexia Rattazzi; Jennifer Stapel-Wax; Wendy L Stone; Helen Tager-Flusberg; Audrey Thurm; Mark Tomlinson; Andy Shih Journal: Autism Res Date: 2015-10-06 Impact factor: 5.216