Parents’ Perspectives on the Services for Children with Autism: A Basis for Improving Service Provision
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65339/ijsair.V2.I2.631Keywords:
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Family-Centered Care, Parent Training, Parents’ Perspectives, Public Service Delivery, Service Accessibility, Service Quality, Sustainable Development Goals, Thematic AnalysisAbstract
This study explored parents’ perspectives on the services provided by the Parañaque City Center for Children with Special Needs (CSN Center) for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and identified areas for service improvement. Anchored on the SERVQUAL Model and the Family-Centered Care Framework, the study examined parental experiences regarding service accessibility, quality, responsiveness, and support. A qualitative research design utilizing thematic analysis was employed. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with six purposively selected parents of children with ASD who were receiving assessment, therapy, and parent-training services from the CSN Center. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed to identify recurring themes and patterns. The findings revealed four major themes: Accessibility and Service Delivery, Quality of Therapy and Professionalism of Staff, Challenges in Service Provision, and Recommendations for Service Enhancement. Parents generally expressed satisfaction with the center’s free multidisciplinary services, responsive communication, professional staff, and parent-training programs. They valued the support provided by therapists and reported positive developmental changes in their children. Despite these strengths, participants identified challenges related to limited personnel, therapy availability, scheduling constraints, and increasing service demand. Recommendations included expanding personnel and services, strengthening communication systems, increasing opportunities for parental involvement, and enhancing support programs for families. The study concludes that accessible, responsive, and family-centered autism services contribute positively to parental experiences and support the developmental needs of children with ASD. The findings provide insights that may assist service providers and policymakers in improving the quality and accessibility of publicly funded autism-related services. The study supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 4, 10, and 16 by promoting accessible developmental services, inclusive support systems, and responsive public service delivery. It contributes to community, educational, institutional, and socio-economic sustainability through evidence-based improvements in autism service provision.
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