Interagency Collaboration for Pediatric Autism Spectrum Disorder: Perspectives of Community-Based Providers.

BACKGROUND

Interagency collaboration between community and school settings is one mechanism to serve the complex needs of pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

PURPOSE

We surveyed a national sample of community-based providers to examine their perspectives on interagency collaboration with school-based providers when serving pediatric patients with ASD.

METHOD

Medical and behavioral/mental health professionals practicing in community settings were recruited. Participants ( = 116) completed an online survey about their interagency collaboration experiences with schools.

RESULTS

The majority of the sample reported engaging in interagency collaboration with school-based providers; however, the frequency was limited and was associated with the number of years working in the field. Community-based providers wanted more didactic and hands-on experiences in collaboration. Barriers and facilitators were related to schools' administration, school personnels' training in ASD, information exchange, and delineating between identification systems.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight the importance of leadership support and the need for innovative training experiences to support school-community interagency collaboration.