title: The autism diagnostic experiences of French parents.
abstract: This survey focused on French parents' views of the diagnostic process relating to their child with autism. Data were collected on the age at diagnosis, the time taken to obtain a diagnosis and the difficulties encountered. Questionnaires filled in by the parents (n = 248) and in-depth interviews (n = 43) were analyzed in order to obtain quantitative and qualitative results. The ages of the children ranged from 4 to 45. This approach enabled us to compare the practices of professionals now and in the past. The mean age of diagnosis was 10 ± 8 years from 1960 to 1990, 5 ± 3 years from 1990 to 2005 (3 ± 1 from 2003 to 2005). The results showed that the mean delays between first consultation and diagnosis were reduced. Regarding the way the diagnosis was announced, 63% of the parents of children with autism and 93% of the parents of adults with autism were dissatisfied. We discuss the parents' reactions and the changes in the diagnostic process.
authors.affiliation: Université Paris Descartes and INSERM, Université Paris Descartes, France. brigitte.chamak@parisdescartes.fr
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chamak
authors.forename: Béatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bonniau
authors.forename: Lila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oudaya
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ehrenberg
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult