The needs of parents of young children with autism spectrum disorder and the current support services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

There is limited information regarding the parents of young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This research aimed to identify the needs of parents of young children with ASD in KSA context. It included parents of those children who attend early intervention (EI) classes; who are on the waiting list for acceptance onto EI classes; and the support services available for them in the KSA. The study employed a survey for data collection and included 41 Saudi participants (36 mothers and 5 fathers) who had children with ASD aged 2-6 years old. The survey included a questionnaire featuring both open-ended and closed-ended questions designed to elicit responses on support services and unmet needs. The study findings highlight that the majority of the parents’ needs were unmet due to a lack of or limited support services in four sectors: information and training, social, community, and financial and support areas. The results indicated no significant relationships or differences between the parents and their children's characteristics and support service needs. The general outcome of the study emphasises that there is a need for more support than is already available through KSA services. Suggestions include creating and providing support services for parents whose children have autism to improve the ability of the family to cope and adapt to their children's disorder; increasing the number, distribution, and quality of EI services to avoid concerns associated with the late timing of the receipt of EI services; and the KSA taking into consideration the needs of parents of children with ASD when creating interventions and services for both parents and their children, as well as support services, to ensure that the KSA tailors them to accommodate the needs of parents and their children with ASD