Access barriers to services by immigrant mothers of children with autism in Canada

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

17/01/2017

Authors

Khanlou, Nazilla
Haque, Nasim
Mustafa, Nida
Vazquez, Luz Maria
Mantini, Anne
Weiss, Jonathan

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

Equal access for autism services remains suboptimal for diverse groups. In Canada,little is known about the barriers immigrant mothers face accessing services and support for their children with developmental disabilities. In this qualitative study, 21 immigrant mothers of children with Autism, from a diverse ethno cultural background, were interviewed inToronto, Canada. We apply House’s (1981) four domains of social support to analyze findings.Structural support challenges, such as delays in diagnosis, fragmented and dispersed services were common, followed by instrumental challenges due to loss of social ties and stigma. Lack of expected support from partners, and negative perceptions of services, were identified as emotional and perceptive challenges. Focused attention is required to address inequalities within the context of current access pathways for autism.

Description

Keywords

Autism, Canada, Disabilities, Immigrant, Mothers, Social support

Citation

Khanlo, N., Haque, N., Mustafa, N., Vazquez, L. M., Mantini, A., & Weiss, J. A. (2017). Access barriers to services by immigrant mothers of children with autism in Canada. International Journal of Mental Health Addiction. doi: 10.1007/s11469-017-9732-4.

URI