Pearson, Kirsten (2024) Through their eyes: unraveling the experiences and therapeutic needs of children with autism spectrum condition who have experienced physical abuse. PhD thesis, University of Gloucestershire. doi:10.46289/8JL59DC8
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
This thesis used mixed-methods to comprehensively assess the prevalence, needs, and lived experiences of physical abuse in children with autism spectrum condition (ASC). The research employed a sequential explanatory design utilising both quantitative and qualitative methods. In the initial phase, an evidence synthesis was performed to assess interventions for children who experienced physical abuse and interventions for children with ASC. This phase found that there is a need for more rigorous studies on interventions for children who experienced physical abuse and on interventions for children with ASC. Additionally, this phase has important implications on intervention components and theoretical approaches which could be used to inform a future intervention. The next phase included two quantitative surveys which aimed to assess the prevalence and associated characteristics of ACEs in the ASC population. Participants for this phase included adults with ASC and parents, guardians, and caregivers of children with ASC. The quantitative phase found a high prevalence of abuse within the ASC community, as well as specific behaviorural characteristics which are associated with autistic individuals who experienced abuse. The third phase aimed to explore the lived experiences of childhood physical abuse in the ASC community using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). For this, two qualitative surveys were given to adults with ASC who experienced physical abuse and to parents, guardians and caregivers of children with ASC who experienced physical abuse. The findings from this phase highlighted specific symptomology and experiences which can be used to inform future interventions. The findings from all phases were used to inform a logic model and create specific recommendations to inform future interventions and research.
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