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Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research

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01-09-2012 | Original Paper

Therapist Perspectives on Community Mental Health Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Authors: Lauren Brookman-Frazee, Amy Drahota, Nicole Stadnick, Lawrence A. Palinkas

Published in: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research | Issue 5/2012

Abstract

This mixed methods study examined therapist perspectives on serving children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in community mental health (CMH) clinics. One hundred therapists completed a survey about their experiences with this population and 17 participated in subsequent focus groups to clarify and expand survey results. Results indicate that CMH therapists serve many children with ASD for behavior or other psychiatric problems and perceive serving this population as challenging and frustrating due to their limited training. Therapists are highly motivated for comprehensive ASD training on ASD characteristics and intervention strategies. These data were used to tailor and package evidence-based intervention strategies for delivery in CMH services.

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Title: Therapist Perspectives on Community Mental Health Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Lauren Brookman-Frazee
Amy Drahota
Nicole Stadnick
Lawrence A. Palinkas
Publication date: 01-09-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research / Issue 5/2012
Print ISSN: 0894-587X
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3289
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-011-0355-y

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