Examining the Services Received by Young Children with Autism and Their Families

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the services received by 3- to 9-year-old children with autism and pervasive developmental disabilities. Four questions were addressed: (1) What services are received? (2) How are families involved in their services? (3) How do providers ensure that their services have continuity or are organized around a common set of child needs? and (4) What problems do families report? These questions were addressed by conducting a telephone interview with 25 families in western Pennsylvania. Results indicated that families interacted with a host of different agencies and professionals. Several problems also became apparent, as many families reported difficulty accessing needed services and minimal involvement in planning or implementing these interventions.