Helpful ways to convey concerns to parents:
Suggestions compiled from survey responses from parents of children with autism.
Provide a clear description of your concerns
- Explain the specific behaviors about which you are concerned
- Talk about how your observations compare with expected milestones
- “Most children his/her age make more consistent eye contact and use more ”
- “These behaviors can interfere with a child’s learning and are sometimes signs of autism. Have you heard of autism?”
- Provide visual information, such as autism “fact sheets” and/or the M-CHAT-R/F results
Elicit input from parents
- “Do you see these behaviors at home too?” “What do you make of these behaviors?”
Provide reassurance
- Explain that autism is a spectrum, that there are treatments
- “We want to make sure we do everything we can to put your child on the right trajectory to grow and thrive”
- “I know that this is difficult information to hear, but please know that I will work with you to help get your child the services that s/he needs”
Expect and plan for an emotional response
- Be aware that emotions may impede the parent’s ability to process all the information
- Write down critical information
- Offer a follow-up appointment
- Allow time for the parent to remain in the exam room after the appointment
Encourage parents to take action
- Explain the importance of early detection and intervention
- Give specific referral information for Early Intervention and a diagnostic assessment
- Provide an up-to-date resource and information packet
- “You know that s/he is a beautiful child and I can tell you take excellent care of him/her. Most children his/her age show more interest in interacting with others and play with toys more I think it would be a good idea for him/her to be seen by a specialist for a complete assessment of his/her development. There’s no need to worry right now. We’ll just get more information and if the evaluation indicates there’s something going on, we’ll work on strategies for care together.”
Unhelpful ways to convey concerns to parents
- Telling parents you are concerned about autism without giving any information about what to do
- Handing a pamphlet or giving a referral without explaining what autism is and what it means
- Failing to provide examples of behaviors of concern
- Failing to emphasize the importance of early detection and intervention
- Failing to use the word “autism”
- Failing to emphasize the importance of getting into services and on waiting lists as soon as possible