Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder: Their views on their children's hospital experiences, expectations from nurses, and a hospital environment sensitive to differences - A qualitative study

Purpose: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) tend to require healthcare services more frequently than their neurotypical peers. With the increasing prevalence and high rates of medical comorbidities, it has become increasingly important for healthcare providers and care systems to meet the healthcare requirements of children with ASD. This study aims to examine the hospital experiences of mothers raising children with ASD, their expectations from nurses, and their views on a hospital environment sensitive to differences. Material and methods: A qualitative research framework was used in this study, drawing from phenomenology. The study population consisted of mothers with children aged 2-6 years with ASD in three different provinces across three geographical regions of Turkey. The study sample consisted of 30 mothers whose children had an autism diagnosis based on the DSM-V criteria and met the inclusion requirements. Results: After analyzing the obtained data during the interviews, three themes and 36 codes were identified. The themes are as follows: Evaluations of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Evaluations of Nursing Care, and Recommendations. Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of ASD and the documented challenges that children with ASD encounter in accessing healthcare services, this research aims to enhance the quality of hospital care for children with ASD, offering valuable insights.