title: Services for children with autism spectrum disorder in three, large urban school districts: Perspectives of parents and educators.
abstract: This study used qualitative methods to evaluate the perceptions of parents, educators, and school administrators in three large, urban school districts (Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Rochester) regarding services for children with autism spectrum disorder within the context of limited district resources. Facilitators followed a standard discussion guide that contained open-ended questions regarding participants' views on strengths and limitations of existing services and contextual factors that would facilitate or inhibit the process of introducing new interventions. Three primary themes were identified: (1) tension between participant groups (teachers and paraprofessionals, staff and administration, teachers and parents, special education and general education teachers), (2) necessity of autism spectrum disorder-specific and behavioral training for school personnel, and (3) desire for a school culture of accepting difference. These themes highlight the importance of developing trainings that are feasible to deliver on a large scale, that focus on practical interventions, and that enhance communication and relationships of school personnel with one another and with families.
authors.affiliation: University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, USA Suzannah_Iadarola@URMC.Rochester.edu.
authors.forename: Suzannah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iadarola
authors.affiliation: University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hetherington
authors.affiliation: University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Clinton
authors.affiliation: University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reisinger
authors.affiliation: University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Linh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huynh
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Locke
authors.affiliation: University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Conn
authors.affiliation: University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heinert
authors.affiliation: University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Sheryl
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kataoka
authors.affiliation: Health Resources & Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Harwood
authors.affiliation: University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Tristram
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Mandell
authors.affiliation: University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Connie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kasari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents; D014481:United States; D019037:Urban Health Services
keywords: autism; community-based participatory research; qualitative research; school-based intervention; urban environments