Problems of medical and social care for children with autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

The aim is to identify, through a sociological survey of legitimate representatives of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the problems that they face in their lives, to further improve the provision of medical and social assistance. Materials and methods. A survey of legal representatives of ASD minors (aged 1–11 years) was conducted. Results. The study of the living conditions of a child with autism in the family, the assessment by parents of his state of health, problems arising in the registration of disability, in the provision of medical and rehabilitation assistance and issues of medical and social support made it possible to determine the situation of this group of the child population in modern medical and social conditions. The main problems were the collection of a large number of documents during the registration of disability, the long wait for the day of examination, the remoteness of the location of the medical and social examination bureau, the lack of specialist doctors, the lack of consideration of the individual needs of the child when conducting individual rehabilitation programs, the need to contact various institutions and departments, the lack of medical and social assistance, violation of rights in the provision of medical services to a child with autism. Conclusion. It is necessary both to expand research aimed at studying etiopathogenetic factors and developing strategies for the prevention and early diagnosis of autistic disorders in childhood, destigmatization, and educational work in society.