title: "On the Sidelines": Access to Autism-Related Services in the West Bank.
abstract: We examined access to autism-related services among Palestinians (N = 24) raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the West Bank. Using qualitative methods, we identified five primary interview themes. Poor screening, diagnostic, and psychoeducational practices were prevalent, as parents reported service providers minimized parental concerns and communicated ineffectively with the caregivers regarding treatment options. Geographic barriers and financial burdens prevented many families from seeking or maintaining services. Limited service availability was a dominant barrier: parents reported limited or denied access to education, community-based services, and ASD-specific interventions. Consequently, several families noted their children did not receive any services whatsoever. Research, practices and policies to address the shortage of services for children with ASD are urgently needed in the West Bank.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Maryland, 525 West Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. sdababnah@ssw.umaryland.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8298-1639
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dababnah
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Maryland, 525 West Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. bulson.sw@umaryland.edu.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bulson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018912:Arabs / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence
keywords: ASD; Access; Autism; Caregivers; Palestinians; West Bank