Content Analysis of Qualitative Research on Children and Youth With Autism, 1993–2011: Considerations for Occupational Therapy Services

Abstract

This content analysis illustrates how qualitative research may help occupational therapy practitioners make comprehensive, occupation-based intervention decisions by considering the lived experience of children and youth with autism and their families.

On the spectrum, off the beaten path. A qualitative study of Irish parents’ experiences of raising a child with autism spectrum conditions

“…The need for professionals to consider the experiences of the family and the child has been cited before as an important step in meeting family's needs (Swinth, Tomlin, & Luthman, ). This requires that we continue to build the body of knowledge base in the area, addressing varied research questions using appropriate research methods to provide professionals with a better knowledge and understanding which, in turn, can aid in interactions with parents.…”

Contribution of Qualitative Research to Evidence in Practice for People With Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Qualitative research promises to make contributions of distinctive value in a full, comprehensive appraisal of evidence to support occupational therapy practice (Scheer, Arbesman, & Lieberman, 2008). First, qualitative research helps identify the variables of most concern to clients and families by including their perspective on, and values and opinions about, their experience of having ASD or parenting a child with ASD, navigating the health care and education systems, fighting stigma, redefining family identity, and restoring family occupational roles (Swinth, Tomlin, & Luthman, 2015). The best available quantitative evidence, if that evidence has omitted the issues crucial to clients and their families, has missed the mark of supporting client-centered, occupation-based occupational therapy practice.…”

“…We located six qualitative studies on families with a child with autism in the U.S. literature published between 2004 and 2014 (DeGrace, 2004;Dickie, Baranek, Schultz, Watson, & McComish, 2009;Foster, Dunn, & Lawson, 2013;Kuhaneck, Burroughs, Wright, Lemanczyk, & Darragh, 2010;Schaaf, Toth-Cohen, Johnson, Outten, & Benevides, 2011;Suarez, Atchison, & Lagerwey, 2014). (Findings from our international colleagues and from other disciplines are considered in Swinth et al, 2015.) The U.S. results can be summarized as follows: From the accounts of five families, DeGrace (2004) found that the diagnosis of autism was associated with massive effects on family life-in short, lost occupations.…”

“…If applied in practice, such knowledge translation may result in a better alignment of occupational therapy services with the needs of these individuals. Scientific inquiry, both in the United States and worldwide, into the needs of and services for people with ASD and their families increasingly includes qualitative research (see Swinth et al, 2015). This global resource is providing key information for practitioners, researchers, and educators, particularly in revealing the occupation-based needs of this population.…”