Enhancing primary care for autistic children: Insights from parents through focus group discussions

Purpose
This study explored the experiences of caregivers of autistic children in primary care settings, aiming to identify actionable insights to enhance patient care and improve healthcare outcomes.

Methods
A focus group design involving eight caregivers recruited through a Facebook support group was employed. Discussions were guided by a researcher-developed framework and analysed using a phenomenological approach to uncover the essence of lived experiences.

Results
Two primary themes emerged: (1) Challenges – insufficient clinician understanding of autism, rushed appointments, caregiver judgement, and non-sensory-friendly environments; and (2) Recommendations – longer appointment times, sensory-friendly environments, personalised care plans, and flexible appointment options. These align with the 4Cs framework: communication, choice-making, collaboration, and coordination.

Conclusion
Implementing these caregiver-recommended changes could significantly improve primary care experiences for autistic children. Future research should validate these findings with larger, more diverse samples.