How parents build a case for autism spectrum disorder during initial assessments

We’re fighting a losing battle

Datos Bibliográficos

ID5965488
AutoresMichelle O’reilly (0000-0003-1978-6405, University of Leicester, autor de correspondencia), J N Lester (0000-0001-6107-3033, Indiana University), Tom Muskett (Leeds Beckett University), Khalid Karim (University of Leicester)
Año2017
Volumen19
Número1
Páginas69-83
Fecha de publicación2017-02-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaDiscourse Studies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1461-4456 • E-ISSN: 1461-7080
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1461445616683590
OpenAlexW2479801370
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas6
Referencias citadas34

Integral to the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is the initial assessment through which the existence of a ‘problem’ is first ascertained. Despite this, there remains limited research on this early part of the diagnostic pathway. In this article, we utilised conversation analysis to examine relevant issues in relation to the practitioner-family interactions that take place within this initial assessment context. Our findings illustrated that parents typically first raised the possibility of the presence of an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis through ‘building a case’, which professionals were then able to ratify or negate. Furthermore, we found that the assessments unfolded sequentially and clinical decisions were typically reached through a distinctive pattern of interaction. These findings have important implications for clinical practice, including for the study of autism spectrum disorder assessments and diagnosis

Autism · Autism spectrum disorder · Battle · Clinical Practice · Conversation · Conversation analysis · Developmental psychology · Family medicine · Psychiatry · Spectrum disorder · Autism Spectrum Disorder Research · Family and Disability Support Research · Language Development and Disorders · Medicine · Psychology