Evaluating the health visiting service for children with Autism 1

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Evaluating the health visiting service for children with Autistic Spectrum Condition and their families.

• IRAS ID

  185749

• Contact name

  Pat Colliety

• Contact email

  p.colliety@surrey.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Surrey

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 5 months, 18 days

• Research summary

  There is a consistent increase in the estimates of prevalence of Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) in the United Kingdom and internationally therefore, autism is no longer recognised as a rare condition. The importance of early detection and early intervention for children with ASC is recognised by health services in the UK. The Department of Health acknowledge the importance of a health review at 27 months as an ideal opportunity to screen for health, development and aid with the detection of ASC. However, there is less guidance on the care of children with ASC from the health visiting team once a diagnosis is confirmed. Research has found that health visitors’ perceptions of their role and involvement with families who have a child with ASC are varied; some health visitors continue to support the family once a diagnosis is made and some are discharged.
  This qualitative phenomenological study seeks to explore the experiences of the health visiting service for parents or carers who have a child with ASC for example; their experiences and involvement they have had from the health visiting team, their thoughts and feelings about the service and their thoughts about their health visitor’s knowledge and support. The method used will be one to one, face to face interviews lasting no longer than an hour each and will take place in the client’s home or local health clinic, according to the client’s preference. From these interviews the service can be evaluated to help improve the service provided for families to ensure children with ASC and families are fully supported appropriately. The research has already been funded for as part of an educational programme.

• REC name

  North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  15/NW/0857

• Date of REC Opinion

  30 Oct 2015

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion