Abstract:

Aim: The aim of the study is to determine the pre-diagnosis, diagnostic process and post-diagnosis needs of children with autism and the problems experienced during the diagnosis process from a child development specialist perspective and to propose solutions for preventing them. Method: Basic interpretative pattern from quantitative research methods was used. The study group consists of five child development specialist working in the hospital. Data were collected with "Interview Form" and were subjected to content analysis. Results: Results were categorized under 6 themes. These themes are " Process of diagnosis for children with autism spectrum disorder: a long narrow road", "Other suspected diagnosis in which children diagnosed with Autism spectrum disorder referred to child development specialists: unsolved mistakes return", " Polyclinics where children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder are examined before being evaluated", "The difficulties experienced by children with autism spectrum disorder during the diagnostic process", "Age criterion on determination of autism spectrum disorder", "Things to do to facilitate the early diagnosis process". Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it has been found that children who are diagnosed with autism go through a long and tough path, that the most important aspect facilitating the diagnosis process is the employees of the hospital, that children were evaluated with various possibilities before definitive diagnosis, the long duration before being diagnosed due to the lack of knowledge about autism of both the family and the healthcare professionals visited. It is necessary to have more organized evaluations and increased knowledge and awareness of healthcare professionals regarding autism, especially family physicians and pediatricians for early diagnosis.

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