Caregiver perceptions of Wichita State University's autism interdisciplinary diagnostic team process

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to obtain perceptions of caregivers' experiences after participating in Wichita State University's Autism Interdisciplinary Diagnostic Team (AIDT) process. Interviews were conducted in participants' homes and on-campus. Each interview was digitally recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed using grounded theory qualitative analysis to identify common themes across participants and conceptualize families' experiences of the process. Common themes identified from initial interviews included benefits of simultaneous assessment of children's abilities by multiple disciplines, professional validation of parent concerns, expedited medical diagnostic processes and enrollment in early intervention services, need for follow-up counseling for parents and families, and increased levels of hope for children's future endeavors and overall well-being. Future directions for research include further interviews to reach saturation of common themes, which would enable researchers to establish a model conceptualizing caregivers' experiences of participation in an AIDT process.