The information and support needs of Iranian parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Internationally, increasing numbers of children are being diagnosed with an autismspectrum disorder (ASD), but there is a dearth of studies outside more affluentcountries as to parents’ understanding of this condition and the support theyreceive. Forty-three parents were recruited from schools and clinics in Tehran andinterviewed individually using a structured interview schedule. Thematic contentanalyses identified a lack of parental understanding about autism and its causes,along with parents’ reactions to the diagnostic process and the dearth ofinformation available to them. The majority of parents were dissatisfied with theprofessional assistance provided for their children and many lacked informalsupport from their families. The provision of accurate information throughinformal parent-to-parent support seems to be the most feasible means of assistingIranian families to adjust to having a child with ASD within the family.