1 Swansea University, UK.
2 Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, UK.
Autism. 2019 Oct;23(7):1843-1852. doi: 10.1177/1362361319833676. Epub 2019 Mar 12.
Reaction to a child's diagnosis can strongly affect the parent, but little is known about the aspects of the diagnostic process associated with such reactions. The pre-diagnostic levels of anxiety, depression, and parenting stress of 67 volunteer mothers of children subsequently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder were assessed, along with the children's functioning. The speed and number of professionals involved in the diagnosis were recorded, and mothers completed a post-diagnosis assessment of their perceptions of the process. Longer actual and perceived diagnosis speeds predicted resolved reactions to diagnosis. Mothers' psychological states pre-diagnosis did not predict reactions to diagnosis. Providing a measured diagnostic process, and strong relationship with mothers, rather than aiming for speed alone, may well be more productive for the parent and child.
对孩子诊断结果的反应可能会强烈影响到父母，但对于与这种反应相关的诊断过程的哪些方面，人们知之甚少。评估了 67 名自愿为随后被诊断出患有自闭症谱系障碍的儿童的母亲在诊断前的焦虑、抑郁和育儿压力水平，以及儿童的功能。记录了诊断过程中涉及的专业人员的数量和速度，母亲们在诊断后完成了对诊断过程的看法评估。实际和感知诊断速度越快，诊断后反应就越容易解决。母亲在诊断前的心理状态并不能预测对诊断的反应。提供一个有针对性的诊断过程，并与母亲建立牢固的关系，而不是仅仅追求速度，对父母和孩子都更有成效。
