Psychoeducation for parents after a child's diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder

Review of literature

Abstract

A child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder often raises questions in parents and a desire to know more about the syndrome. This literature review looked at parents' experiences and hopes of receiving information and support from health professionals after their child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. There has been little research on the success of psychoeducation for parents after a child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Based on the search terms and inclusion criteria, and after manual completion, six studies were selected for review, located on different continents, which also allowed for a cultural analysis. According to the selected studies, when a child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, their parents, regardless of cultural background, have a need for more detailed information and possibly emotional support from health professionals. In studies in Asia, Africa and North America, parents were under-informed, while in Europe and Australia they received too much information at once. In all studies, parents expressed a desire to have more than one meeting with health professionals after diagnosis.

The review recommends that following a child's diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, parents should be offered books and websites reviewed and recommended by health professionals, as well as psychoeducation. Parents should be given time to process the child's diagnosis and space to discuss and seek information from health professionals.