Helping Parents with the Initial Diagnosis of Autism: Parent-Informed Guidance for Clinicians

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Smith, I. C., Cox, B. E., & White, S. W. (2019). Helping Parents with the Initial Diagnosis of Autism: Parent-Informed Guidance for Clinicians. Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 4(3), 296-306. https://doi.org/10.1080/23794925.2019.1626781

Publication date: 3 Jun 2019 Added to AutiHub: 8 Aug 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
3
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 3 (33.3%)
  1. Isaac C. Smith
  2. Bradley E. Cox *
  3. Susan W. White

Abstract

Thousands of parents each year inform their child about a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, and most parents feel unprepared for this task. Although we are now able to reliably diagnose ASD very early in life, almost no empirical literature exists for clinicians on how to help parents educate their diagnosed child. This process must be conducted in a way that is sensitive to the child’s developmental needs while promoting an accepting and non-stigmatizing stance toward the diagnosis. This commentary is offered to help clinicians guide parents through this process. Rooted in a prior review of the literature as well as clinical experience on this topic and input from a parent of a child with ASD, we outline various factors parents may wish to consider in preparing to disclose ASD diagnoses, including rehearsal or practice of disclosure conversations, tailoring language to their child’s presentation, providing concise and accurate information, anticipating and providing space for children to react and process, and framing the discussion as a starting point for further conversation.

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Cited references
48
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
2 / 48 (4.2%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
5 / 219 (2.3%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 5 / 51 (9.8%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 5 / 184 (2.7%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
51 / 219 (23.3%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 36 / 184 (19.6%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
46 / 51 (90.2%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 46 / 219 (21.0%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 31 / 36 (86.1%).
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