title: Service provision for autism in mainland China: preliminary mapping of service pathways.
abstract: Few data on healthcare services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) are available from mainland China. This article is based on findings from 69 semi-structured interviews with parents of children with ASC in three intervention centres. The respondents are from 19 regions in mainland China. A service-mapping questionnaire containing 50 questions is developed and used as an interview schedule for service mapping. The pathway to diagnosis and intervention for children with ASC is presented according to parents' experience. The findings report considerable delay along the pathway which may be partly due to the under-developed service system. Several cultural issues are identified which may also contribute to the delay, such as the perception of mental illness, folk beliefs equating delayed development of language skills in early childhood with future high intelligence, and the state-imposed one-child policy. Delays in recognising ASC and a lack of support are also considered to be associated with the considerable financial burden placed on parents of children with ASC in mainland China.
authors: Institute of Public Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, University of Cambridge, CB2 0SR, UK; Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, University of Cambridge, CB2 2AH, UK. Electronic address: xs227@medschl.cam.ac.uk.
authors: Xiang
authors: X
authors: Sun
authors: Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, University of Cambridge, CB2 2AH, UK.
authors: Carrie
authors: C
authors: Allison
authors: Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, University of Cambridge, CB2 2AH, UK.
authors: Bonnie
authors: B
authors: Auyeung
authors: MRC Biostatistics Unit, Cambridge Institute of Public Health, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, CB2 0SR, UK.
authors: Fiona E
authors: FE
authors: Matthews
authors: Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, University of Cambridge, CB2 2AH, UK.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Baron-Cohen
authors: Institute of Public Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, University of Cambridge, CB2 0SR, UK.
authors: Carol
authors: C
authors: Brayne
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Autism; Health and education; Mainland China; Service provision; Service users