Understanding the changing needs of autistic children in speech and language therapy services: exploring children’s priorities and preferences alongside current practice
Autism
Qualitative interviews will be carried out with two groups of autistic children (1) able to take part in verbal interviews (2) able to take part in highly adapted visually mediated interviews. In addition, Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) will take part in a survey, with a subset taking part in qualitative interviews. This project will address each of the three research questions within a distinct phase of the research project. Phase One: Before the interview: In a preliminary online meeting via Zoom (approximately 30 minutes) researchers will collect demographic information from the parents using an electronic form (Qualtrics). It will elicit details about; communication levels, school type and curriculum (i.e., mainstream or not), geographical location. Parents can opt to say, 'I prefer not to say', for special category data, such as, sex/gender, ethnicity, additional diagnoses. This meeting will not be video recorded. Interview adjustments for the child will be ascertained during this meeting. An interview date will be established and (if desired by the child/parent) a familiarisation chat will happen with the child. Interview adjustments will help manage concentration, social/performance anxiety, communication needs, preference for familiarity, sensory processing differences and/or fatigue, all of which are likely in an autistic population. Adaptations will also include, arranging with the parents the best time, day and place for interviews and offering breaks and regulatory activities during sessions (e.g., fidget toys, white-noise, pets). Children can choose between oral or text-based interviews. 1 week prior to the interview, the research team will send the set of interview questions to the child/parent, to help with their own preparation and familiarisation. During the interview: Then semi-structured one-to-one interviews will be conducted by the researchers, in a place of the child/family's choosing, e.g., at home, in school or in an interview room
Phase One: 1. Aged between 9 years 0 months and 17 years 11 months 2. Diagnosed autistic 3. English should be the main language spoken at home. 4. Able to indicate their views on their own concerns and preferences, either through spoken or written verbal communication. 5. No unmanaged physical (e.g., cerebral palsy) or sensory (e.g., hearing loss) impairment that affects their communication above and beyond their autism. Phase Two: 1. Qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist 2. Who work or have worked in autistic children’s service provision 3. Who are based in the UK Phase Three: 1. Aged between 9 years 0 months and 17 years 11 months 2. Diagnosed autistic 3. English should be the main language spoken at home 4. Able to indicate their views on their own concerns and preferences using a total communication approach 5. No unmanaged physical (e.g., cerebral palsy) or sensory (e.g., hearing loss) impairment that affects their communication above and beyond their autism.
Phase One: 1. Outside of age range (9 years 0 months and 17 years 11 months) 2. Not diagnosed autistic 3. A language other than English mostly spoken at home 4. Unable to indicate their views on their own concerns and preferences through spoken or written verbal communication 5. Unmanaged physical (e.g., cerebral palsy) or sensory (e.g., hearing loss) impairment that affects their communication above and beyond their autism Phase Two: 1. Not qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist 2. Have never worked in autistic children’s service provision 3. Who are based outside of the UK Phase Three: 1. Outside of age range (9 years 0 months and 17 years 11 months) 2. Not diagnosed autistic 3. A language other than English mostly spoken at home 4. Unable to indicate their views on their own concerns and preferences using a total communication approach 5. Unmanaged physical (e.g., cerebral palsy) or sensory (e.g., hearing loss) impairment that affects their communication above and beyond their autism