Social skills interventions for Thai adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): a qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of Thai adolescents, their caregivers and healthcare professionals
Abstract Background Social skills interventions (SSIs) are effective for enhancing social skills and decreasing mental health problems in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, these interventions have been designed and their effectiveness has been established in Western countries...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Mental Health Systems |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-023-00617-3 |
| _version_ | 1797363647337463808 |
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| author | Nadlada Tawankanjanachot Maria Truesdale Pornpun Orachon Lisa Kidd |
| author_facet | Nadlada Tawankanjanachot Maria Truesdale Pornpun Orachon Lisa Kidd |
| author_sort | Nadlada Tawankanjanachot |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Social skills interventions (SSIs) are effective for enhancing social skills and decreasing mental health problems in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, these interventions have been designed and their effectiveness has been established in Western countries. Lack of culturally acceptable SSIs for Asian nations is a possible barrier to implementing effective and tailored interventions that address the unique requirements of ASD individuals across countries and cultures. This study aims to explore the needs and preferences of adolescents with ASD, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals (HPs) in Thailand regarding the components, delivery formats, and cultural adaptation required for an outpatient-based social skills intervention. Methods Qualitative data was collected via three focus groups of HPs (n = 20) and 24 paired interviews with adolescents with ASD and their caregivers from a child psychiatric hospital in Thailand. Purposive sampling was employed, and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results Nine themes emerged from the data generated by HPs, and seven from adolescents with ASD and their caregivers. SSIs for Thai adolescents with ASD and their caregivers should emphasise specific social skills training and assess the abilities of adolescents as required. Incorporating various learning strategies is important. Parental involvement is essential and provides knowledge of an adolescent’s symptoms and coaching skills, which are best used to support their adolescents. Cultural considerations include the need for social knowledge of Thai culture, promoting assertiveness and praising parents’ abilities, implementing a programme in time to not interrupt academic achievement, and renaming a programme from social skills intervention to social communication intervention. Barriers to implementing a programme included HPs’ need for specialised training and education and decreased workload. Also, the caregivers’ and adolescents’ stigma reduced attendance in a programme. Increased extra compensation and relocation days off are provided as policy support for staff who deliver the intervention. Conclusion The results suggest that SSIs for Thai adolescents with ASD should be tailored to meet the needs for specific knowledge, skills, and parental collaboration as coaches for their adolescents. Additionally, it should incorporate Thai culture. It is necessary to consider staff knowledge, workload, and stigma in order to reduce barriers to implementation in practice. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T16:23:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-33ec7c7e9b0748af9396fd041101f6fc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1752-4458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T16:23:09Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Mental Health Systems |
| spelling | doaj.art-33ec7c7e9b0748af9396fd041101f6fc2024-01-07T12:11:44ZengBMCInternational Journal of Mental Health Systems1752-44582024-01-0118111910.1186/s13033-023-00617-3Social skills interventions for Thai adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): a qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of Thai adolescents, their caregivers and healthcare professionalsNadlada Tawankanjanachot0Maria Truesdale1Pornpun Orachon2Lisa Kidd3School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of GlasgowSchool of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of GlasgowYuwaprasart Waithayopathum Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital, Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public HealthSchool of Health & Life Sciences, Research Centre for Health (ReaCH), Glasgow Caledonian UniversityAbstract Background Social skills interventions (SSIs) are effective for enhancing social skills and decreasing mental health problems in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, these interventions have been designed and their effectiveness has been established in Western countries. Lack of culturally acceptable SSIs for Asian nations is a possible barrier to implementing effective and tailored interventions that address the unique requirements of ASD individuals across countries and cultures. This study aims to explore the needs and preferences of adolescents with ASD, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals (HPs) in Thailand regarding the components, delivery formats, and cultural adaptation required for an outpatient-based social skills intervention. Methods Qualitative data was collected via three focus groups of HPs (n = 20) and 24 paired interviews with adolescents with ASD and their caregivers from a child psychiatric hospital in Thailand. Purposive sampling was employed, and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results Nine themes emerged from the data generated by HPs, and seven from adolescents with ASD and their caregivers. SSIs for Thai adolescents with ASD and their caregivers should emphasise specific social skills training and assess the abilities of adolescents as required. Incorporating various learning strategies is important. Parental involvement is essential and provides knowledge of an adolescent’s symptoms and coaching skills, which are best used to support their adolescents. Cultural considerations include the need for social knowledge of Thai culture, promoting assertiveness and praising parents’ abilities, implementing a programme in time to not interrupt academic achievement, and renaming a programme from social skills intervention to social communication intervention. Barriers to implementing a programme included HPs’ need for specialised training and education and decreased workload. Also, the caregivers’ and adolescents’ stigma reduced attendance in a programme. Increased extra compensation and relocation days off are provided as policy support for staff who deliver the intervention. Conclusion The results suggest that SSIs for Thai adolescents with ASD should be tailored to meet the needs for specific knowledge, skills, and parental collaboration as coaches for their adolescents. Additionally, it should incorporate Thai culture. It is necessary to consider staff knowledge, workload, and stigma in order to reduce barriers to implementation in practice.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-023-00617-3Social skills interventionAdolescents with autism spectrum disorderQualitative researchExperiencesCaregiversHealthcare professionals |
| spellingShingle | Nadlada Tawankanjanachot Maria Truesdale Pornpun Orachon Lisa Kidd Social skills interventions for Thai adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): a qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of Thai adolescents, their caregivers and healthcare professionals International Journal of Mental Health Systems Social skills intervention Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder Qualitative research Experiences Caregivers Healthcare professionals |
| title | Social skills interventions for Thai adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): a qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of Thai adolescents, their caregivers and healthcare professionals |
| title_full | Social skills interventions for Thai adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): a qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of Thai adolescents, their caregivers and healthcare professionals |
| title_fullStr | Social skills interventions for Thai adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): a qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of Thai adolescents, their caregivers and healthcare professionals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Social skills interventions for Thai adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): a qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of Thai adolescents, their caregivers and healthcare professionals |
| title_short | Social skills interventions for Thai adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): a qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of Thai adolescents, their caregivers and healthcare professionals |
| title_sort | social skills interventions for thai adolescents with autism spectrum disorder asd a qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of thai adolescents their caregivers and healthcare professionals |
| topic | Social skills intervention Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder Qualitative research Experiences Caregivers Healthcare professionals |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-023-00617-3 |
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