"Pretend You're Riding a Unicorn": Accommodations for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Medical Settings

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have specific behavioral, communicative, and sensory needs which, without accommodations, may be barriers to the delivery of quality health care. In this study, a qualitative research design based on grounded theory was utilized to assess the perceptions of eight families of children with ASD regarding the degree to which accommodations for their children are provided or not provided in various medical settings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the resulting data were analyzed. The following common themes were revealed: (1) parents as experts, (2) frustration, (3) lack of medical professional sensitivity, (4) lack of accommodations, and (5) positive experiences. Based on the results of this study, suggestions are offered to increase rapport and create positive experiences for individuals with ASD and their families in medical settings.