Integrated Service System For Family Of Children With Autism

With the rapid development of modern society, various types of mental disorders are constantly on the rise because of environmental pollution and all kinds of pressure; and morbidity of autism is gradually increased. The "illness" has been the focus of concern; however, there is little understanding of the living conditions of families with autism children, and their difficulties are always to dilute, intentionally or unintentionally. So it is of great significance to research the supply and need of social services for autistic families.In this paper, with theoretical guidance of family-centered social work practice and society ecosystems theory, we try to explore the best services to response to families with autistic children. The research is based on analysis and investigation of agent’s need.The first part of the study focused on analysis of the needs of families with autism children. The survey found that the family encountered many difficulties in the whole process from children’s diagnosis to rehabilitation, which derived their inner needs. Firstly, they need information about diagnosis and treatment, and they want to get the technical guidance of professional training; followed by the need for emotional support and the desire to solace and psychological comfort. They also need economic support and temporary care support, but they ultimately hope their children will be accepted and integrated into society. However, diagnosis and treatment of autism fall behind, rehabilitation agencies have less perfect service, and social services are so lack, it can’t meet most of their needs timely.The second part focuses on constructing suitable services for families with autistic children. After SWOT analysis of such families, we determine to construct an integrated service network from three levels, that’s the micro system (household), mezzo system (community) and macro system (society). In micro level, to develop of services from rehabilitation institutions, in order to enhance the ability of the family itself; in mezzo level, to promote community care and community services and to format community self-help group, in order to provide care support services; in macro level, to improve the welfare policy and the system of allowances, to establish autism education and employment places, to promote information and knowledge of autism services, in order to raise public awareness. While it encourages communication and cooperation between the various systems, to format a model, which "focus on children with autism and their families and relies the institutions and communities with social forces ", aiming to achieve a true" one-stop "service. But, it should pay attention to adhere to "agent’s self-determination" and "helping people help themselves" and stress that the workers establish a common faith in the process. In such integrated service network, social workers undertake a variety of roles.