Experiences of Autism Diagnosis: A Survey of 293 Parents in Saudi Arabia

Background: Investigations about parents parents’ experiences attaining autism spectrum (ASD) diagnosis for their children in Saudi Arabia are scarce (Alnemary, et al., 2017).

Objectives: To examine parents’ experiences attaining autism spectrum (ASD) diagnosis for their children in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A convenience sample of 293 parents of children with ASD completed an online survey about their experiences and opinions attaining the ASD diagnosis for their children.

Results: The results revealed that the median age of the child when parents first noted atypicalities was 2.0 years. The median of the delays that parents experienced before they sought professionals help and to attain the diagnosis for their child were 0.3 years and 0.5 years, respectively. Just over one of third of parents were satisfied with the overall diagnostic process. Satisfaction was linked with higher perceived collaboration with professionals, higher perceived helpfulness of received information, higher perceived helpfulness of post-diagnosis support, lower household income, and shorter delay to attaining the diagnosis for those who live in a major city.

Conclusions: Findings provide a valuable picture of an important group of families affected by ASD in Saudi Arabia, pointing the need to increasing ASD awareness and mandating early identification in Saudi Arabia. National efforts for conducting research are needed to better understand and manage the access and use of diagnostic and ASD services in Saudi Arabia.