Identifying Components of Autism Friendly Health Care: An Exploratory Study Using a Modified Delphi Method

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O’Hagan, B., Krauss, S., Friedman, A., Bartolotti, L., Abubakare, O., Broder‐Fingert, S., & Augustyn, M. (2022). Identifying Components of Autism Friendly Health Care: An Exploratory Study Using a Modified Delphi Method. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 44(1), e12-e18. https://doi.org/10.1097/dbp.0000000000001139

Publication date: 11 Nov 2022 Added to AutiHub: 4 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
7
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 7 (14.3%)
  1. Belinda O’Hagan
  2. Shari Krauss
  3. Alexander Friedman
  4. Lauren Bartolotti
  1. Oluwatobi Abubakare *
  2. Sarabeth Broder‐Fingert
  3. Marilyn Augustyn

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Autistic individuals report lower health care satisfaction. However, there is currently no set of "best practice" standards about caring for autistic individuals. In this exploratory study, we aim to identify features of Autism Friendly practice according to a sample consisting of mainly professionals whose interests include autism using a modified 3-round Delphi-a method that identifies a consensus view across subject participants. METHODS: Statements about components of an Autism Friendly health care practice were compiled in consultation with the steering committee of an Autism Friendly Initiative at a single, urban academic safety-net hospital. Participants were recruited through our national network of professionals and patients/families mailing list. Examples of invited professionals included researchers, health care workers, and educators. In the first 2 rounds, we distributed electronic surveys to participants, who scored statements from 1 to 9 regarding importance. In round 2, statements that were scored low by all stakeholder groups were eliminated. Seventy-eight participants responded to the first-round survey, and 51 participants responded to the second-round survey. In the third round, 38 participants ranked 16 statements from most to least important. Statements are summarized and presented in the Results section. RESULTS: Topics that emerged from highly ranked statements include environmental/operational modifications (e.g., longer appointment times) and staff training to support autistic patients. CONCLUSION: Highly ranked statements represented previously reported barriers, including the need for staff training and inclusive engagement with the autistic community. The findings can help inform health care organizations to determine priorities when building an Autism Friendly health care practice.

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These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:30.

Cited references
25
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
1 / 25 (4.0%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
4 / 149 (2.7%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 4 / 23 (17.4%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 4 / 133 (3.0%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
23 / 149 (15.4%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 18 / 133 (13.5%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
19 / 23 (82.6%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 19 / 149 (12.8%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 14 / 18 (77.8%).
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