| Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is increasingly prevalent among children in the U.S. For school children with ASD, parents and educators strive to identify goals to enhance development. Unfortunately, parental goals for their children are not always understood by educators, especially among parents of diverse backgrounds. The purpose of this study is to increase understanding of parental goals for children with ASD and explore how goals affect services and supports parents seek. Five parents from diverse backgrounds participated in qualitative, in depth interviews during which they described their goals and interventions for their children. Through microanalysis of data, differences in short and long term goals were identified based on culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and family background. Informal and formal supports were discussed as they related to goals. By cultivating increased understanding of parent perspectives, this study promotes effective early intervention strategies by aligning parental goals to the education children receive. |
