Identifying the Needs of Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder from Specialists and Parents Perspectives: A Qualitative Study

Background: Families face many challenges in caring for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) throughout their lives. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the needs of families of children with ASD from specialists and parents perspectives. Methods: Semistructured, indepth interviews were conducted with ASD specialists (n = 19) and parents of children with ASD (n = 23). Interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative analysis was conducted using a content analysis approach. Results: The needs of families were divided into nine themes and 11 subthemes from the perspective of experts and four themes and 17 subthemes from the point of view of parents. Major themes identified from the perspective of ASD specialists as the main needs of families included knowledge, skills, attitude, social needs, financial needs, educational needs, mental health services, ability to handle other family issues, and ability to deal with the specific child s problems. Also, information, service, support, and financial needs were the four main categories of needs expressed by the parents. Conclusions: In general, understanding the needs of families is among the experts and the families somewhat similar but differs from each other in many ways. Achieving a shared understanding of family needs among professionals, parents, and policymakers can better address those needs.