Community Priorities for Outcomes Targeted During Professional Supports for Autistic Children and their Families

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Sulek, R., Edwards, C., Monk, R., Patrick, L., Pillar, S., & Waddington, H. (2024). Community Priorities for Outcomes Targeted During Professional Supports for Autistic Children and their Families. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 55(5), 1890-1901. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06333-2

Publication date: 20 Apr 2024 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
6
Publication authors identified as autistic
3 / 6 (50.0%)
  1. Rhylee Sulek
  2. Chris Edwards *
  3. Ruth Monk *
  1. Lee Patrick *
  2. Sarah Pillar
  3. Hannah Waddington

Abstract

PURPOSE: Professional supports play an important role in aiding autistic children's learning, participation, and overall wellbeing. Yet, limited research exists on stakeholders' perspectives and preferences regarding targeted outcomes for children undergoing support facilitated by professionals. This study investigated stakeholder views on the priority and appropriateness of outcomes intentionally targeted during the provision of supports to autistic children. METHOD: A survey of 181 participants (including 72 autistic adults, 85 parents, and 69 professionals) from Australia and New Zealand was conducted. Participants rated the appropriateness and priority of 47 potential child and parent outcomes within the context of support. RESULTS: The highest priority outcome was improving child mental wellbeing, with the lowest being reducing sensory seeking or avoidant behaviours. Priority ratings for certain outcomes differed based on the child's age. Over half of the participants rated reducing sensory seeking/avoidant behaviours and reducing focused interests as inappropriate outcomes of supports. Further, variations in the appropriateness of outcomes differed among participant groups. CONCLUSION: Reflecting the growing acceptance of neurodiversity-affirming practices, these results underscore support for targeting outcomes that are meaningful to the autistic and autism communities, with less emphasis on those which reflect neurotypical behavioural standards.

Bibliography cited by this reference

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Bibliography inclusion overview

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
35
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
11 / 35 (31.4%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
13 / 113 (11.5%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 13 / 65 (20.0%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 9 / 93 (9.7%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
65 / 113 (57.5%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 48 / 93 (51.6%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
52 / 65 (80.0%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 52 / 113 (46.0%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 39 / 48 (81.2%).
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