RESUMO
AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences and support needs of parents of children with recently diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Singapore. BACKGROUND: Raising a child with ASD is challenging for parents, especially in the initial period following the diagnosis. Limited studies have focused on parents' perspectives. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive design study. METHODS: Thirteen parents were recruited from a developmental and behavioural paediatric outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Singapore from October-December 2018. Adult parents, who were primary caregivers of 2-10-year-old children diagnosed with ASD in the preceding 3 months to 2 years, were recruited. Semi-structured individual face-to-face interviews were conducted based on an interview guide. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ) checklist was used for reporting. RESULTS: Common themes were analysed using constant comparative method to generate results. Four themes emerged after 13 interviews: (1) adjusting psychologically, (2) changing lifestyle, (3) contending with hurdles to services and (4) needing informational, tangible and emotional support. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggested a need for more formal support networks, targeted resource platforms and accessibility of services to help support parents better after receiving a diagnosis of ASD in their child. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Enhancing current healthcare and social policies to improve the provision of standardised and targeted information to parents, establishing formal support networks, facilitating access to childcare services, and involving domestic helpers/nannies as dedicated caregivers and trainers could better support parents.