McCarthy, R., Blackburn, C., Mukherjee, R., Fleming, K., Allely, C., Kirby, L. and Cook, P.A. (2022), ‘I’m always up against a brick wall with them’: parents’ experiences of accessing support for their child with a newly recognised developmental disorder. British Journal of Special Education. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8578.12398
Abstract
Three of the most prevalent developmental disorders (DDs) are autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). As part of a study screening for DDs in Greater Manchester, UK, a unique opportunity was taken to explore parents’ experiences of receiving reports about their child’s previously unrecognised DD.
Six parents out of a possible 16 took part in interviews, which were analysed thematically. Findings drawn from parental responses revealed a number of barriers to accessing support for their child’s additional needs, including perceived resistance from schools, particularly for quiet, well-behaved girls, and difficulty in accessing assessment or referrals.
There needs to be greater awareness of additional needs in children without externalising behaviours, the presence of gender-specific differences in the presentation of DDs, and FASD as a commonly occurring DD. Ultimately, better support for children with DDs would reduce the burden of unmet needs for the children and their families, and for wider services.