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Oral health care challenges in students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: mothers’ lived experiences.
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Hossein Gholizadeh   , Sara Seyedi , Zahra Ghorbani , Sediqe Shafiei , Azim Gholizadeh , Sohrab Khalilian * |
| Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , khaliliansohrab@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (25 Views) |
Abstract
Background and Aim:Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are exposed to multiple oral health problems and often show high dependence on their caregivers for daily oral care due to specific developmental and behavioral features. This study aimed to identify the barriers to oral health care for children with ASD from the perspective of their mothers.
Materials and methods: In this qualitative study, in order to explore the existing barriers to oral health care of children with ASD, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with some mothers of these children, selected through purposive sampling. These mothers had children who were members of the Autism Association and were enrolled in exceptional elementary schools in Rasht city, Guilan province. The interviews recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the qualitative content analysis approach proposed by «Braun and Clarke».
Results: As a result of the data analysis, four main themes were: physical and mental challenges, behavioral challenges, structural and systemic barriers, and caregiving challenges. Eleven subthemes were also identified, including sensory sensitivities, developmental and genetic impairments, cognitive problems, resistance to treatment, oral health behaviors and lifestyle, geographical barriers and limited access to specialized dental services, service provision difficulties, financial constraints, deficiencies in education and prevention, caregiver-related burdens, and child’s dependency. Based on the stages of the care chain, these barriers were further categorized into four groups: education and prevention, daily care at home, professional dental services, and follow-up and continuity of care.
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that the barriers to maintaining oral health among children with ASD are shaped by a complex interplay of factors at the individual, familial, service delivery, and social levels. Accordingly, improving the oral health of these children requires a comprehensive approach and the application of preventive strategies through the national health system and medical universities.
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| Keywords: Oral health, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Patient Compliance |
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Full-Text [PDF 901 kb]
(9 Downloads)
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Type of Study: original article |
Subject:
Pediatrics
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