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“On the Sidelines”: Access to Autism-Related Services in the West Bank

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Abstract

We examined access to autism-related services among Palestinians (N = 24) raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the West Bank. Using qualitative methods, we identified five primary interview themes. Poor screening, diagnostic, and psychoeducational practices were prevalent, as parents reported service providers minimized parental concerns and communicated ineffectively with the caregivers regarding treatment options. Geographic barriers and financial burdens prevented many families from seeking or maintaining services. Limited service availability was a dominant barrier: parents reported limited or denied access to education, community-based services, and ASD-specific interventions. Consequently, several families noted their children did not receive any services whatsoever. Research, practices and policies to address the shortage of services for children with ASD are urgently needed in the West Bank.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by grants from the Anne-Linda Furstenberg Fund for Qualitative Research and UNC Center for Global Initiatives. Drs. Susan Parish, Kathleen Rounds, Allam Jarrar, and Gary Mesibov provided helpful advice on the conceptualization and implementation of this study. We also acknowledge the individuals in the West Bank who graciously contributed their time to this research.

Author Contributions

SD conceptualized the study, supervised data collection, conducted data analysis and interpretation, and drafted the manuscript. KB performed the literature search, assisted in data analysis and interpretation, and contributed to manuscript preparation. Both authors revised and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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  1. School of Social Work, University of Maryland, 525 West Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Sarah Dababnah & Kathleen Bulson

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  1. Sarah Dababnah
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  2. Kathleen Bulson
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Correspondence to Sarah Dababnah.

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Dababnah, S., Bulson, K. “On the Sidelines”: Access to Autism-Related Services in the West Bank. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 4124–4134 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2538-y

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