Consultation with children with autistic spectrum disorders about their experience of short‐term residential care

The present paper suggests that this condition's characteristics affect the ability of children with ASDs to participate in consultation, which is required by international and national legislation.

Abstract

Summary Consultation with children receiving services from social services departments is required by international and national legislation. Research has been undertaken examining the experience of children with disabilities receiving short‐term care. However, none of these studies has focused on autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs). The present paper suggests that this condition's characteristics affect the ability of children with ASDs to participate in consultation. Case studies were undertaken investigating the impact of the characteristics of autism upon researchers' abilities to elicit children's opinions about their experience of short‐term residential care. Factors which maximized the children's input and the accuracy of results are identified.