Identifying the Unique Determinants Influencing Rural Families' Engagement with an Existing Tele-Assessment Approach for Autism Identification: A Qualitative Study
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| Title: | Identifying the Unique Determinants Influencing Rural Families' Engagement with an Existing Tele-Assessment Approach for Autism Identification: A Qualitative Study |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Liliana Wagner (ORCID |
| Source: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2025 29(6):1458-1468. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 11 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) (DHHS/PHS) US Department of Defense (DOD) |
| Contract Number: | K12HS026395 AR220098 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Rural Areas, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Family Attitudes, Evaluation Methods, Videoconferencing, Telecommunications, Trust (Psychology), Program Effectiveness, Privacy, Young Children, Disability Identification |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613241307078 |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: | Accurate identification of autism is a pressing challenge for rural, medically underserved communities. Tele-assessment could address some barriers to care by increasing access to expert diagnosticians, but questions remain regarding how best to implement these approaches. To gather community input regarding rural families' perceptions and use of tele-assessment for autism identification, we conducted four focus groups with caregivers of children with autism (n = 22) and community service providers (n = 10) living and working in rural areas in the Southeast region of the United States. An iterative inductive/deductive approach guided qualitative data analysis. Coding reflected four core attitudes central to community perceptions, including (1) questions surrounding the validity (scientific legitimacy) of tele-mediated autism assessment; (2) level of trust in the evaluation process in general (and tele-assessment specifically); (3) beliefs about the feasibility of tele-assessment; and (4) concerns related to privacy. These attitudes and beliefs are influenced by determinants at multiple levels and stages, highlighting the need to adapt the existing tele-assessment approach by embedding implementation strategies that support multiple actors at each stage. This work identifies important targets for ensuring equitable access to tele-assessment for rural families. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1473838 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Accurate identification of autism is a pressing challenge for rural, medically underserved communities. Tele-assessment could address some barriers to care by increasing access to expert diagnosticians, but questions remain regarding how best to implement these approaches. To gather community input regarding rural families' perceptions and use of tele-assessment for autism identification, we conducted four focus groups with caregivers of children with autism (n = 22) and community service providers (n = 10) living and working in rural areas in the Southeast region of the United States. An iterative inductive/deductive approach guided qualitative data analysis. Coding reflected four core attitudes central to community perceptions, including (1) questions surrounding the validity (scientific legitimacy) of tele-mediated autism assessment; (2) level of trust in the evaluation process in general (and tele-assessment specifically); (3) beliefs about the feasibility of tele-assessment; and (4) concerns related to privacy. These attitudes and beliefs are influenced by determinants at multiple levels and stages, highlighting the need to adapt the existing tele-assessment approach by embedding implementation strategies that support multiple actors at each stage. This work identifies important targets for ensuring equitable access to tele-assessment for rural families. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613241307078 |
