Objective: 

We sought to understand the experiences of Chinese-American and Korean-American parents of children with autism, including their initial concerns regarding their child's development, reported health professionals' responses to these concerns, diagnostic barriers, and factors associated with early autism diagnosis.

Method: 

We designed a survey with support from an expert advisory group and Asian-American parents of children with autism. We measured 3 time points of diagnostic history, areas of parents' concerns, professionals' responses to their concerns, 15 types of diagnostic barriers, and professionals' helpfulness. We used descriptive and independent t tests to analyze data from 28 parents of children with autism.

Results: 

Most of the parents (86%) had early concerns about their children's developmental delays and expressed their concerns to health professionals. However, approximately 60% of the parents reported that the professionals did not conduct developmental screenings or make referrals to specialists. The most common diagnostic barrier was the stress of the diagnostic process, followed by navigating health care systems. Parents who required interpreters noted poor quality and unavailability. Early child developmental concerns were associated with early autism diagnoses.

Conclusion: 

Although many Chinese-American and Korean-American parents had early concerns regarding their child's development and shared their concerns with health care professionals, parents encountered many barriers, including the stress of the diagnostic process. Chinese-American and Korean-American parents with limited English proficiency required additional support. Health care professionals' active listening and responses to parents' concerns can promote early diagnosis.

中文翻译：

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华裔和韩裔美国自闭症儿童家长的诊断过程和障碍

客观的： 

我们试图了解华裔美国和韩裔美国自闭症儿童父母的经历，包括他们对孩子发育的最初担忧、报告的卫生专业人员对这些担忧的反应、诊断障碍以及与早期自闭症诊断相关的因素。

方法： 

我们在专家咨询小组和自闭症儿童的亚裔美国父母的支持下设计了一项调查。我们测量了 3 个时间点的诊断历史、家长关注的领域、专业人员对其关注点的反应、15 种诊断障碍以及专业人员的帮助程度。我们使用描述性和独立t检验来分析 28 位自闭症儿童家长的数据。

结果： 

大多数父母（86%）很早就担心孩子发育迟缓，并向健康专业人士表达了他们的担忧。然而，大约 60% 的家长表示，专业人员没有进行发育筛查或转介给专家。最常见的诊断障碍是诊断过程的压力，其次是医疗保健系统的导航。需要口译员的家长指出，口译员的质量很差且无法提供。早期儿童发育问题与早期自闭症诊断有关。

结论： 

尽管许多华裔美国人和韩裔美国父母很早就担心孩子的发育，并与医疗保健专业人员分享他们的担忧，但父母遇到了许多障碍，包括诊断过程的压力。英语水平有限的华裔美国人和韩裔美国父母需要额外的支持。医疗保健专业人员积极倾听并回应家长的担忧可以促进早期诊断。