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Therapist Perspectives on Community Mental Health Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This mixed methods study examined therapist perspectives on serving children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in community mental health (CMH) clinics. One hundred therapists completed a survey about their experiences with this population and 17 participated in subsequent focus groups to clarify and expand survey results. Results indicate that CMH therapists serve many children with ASD for behavior or other psychiatric problems and perceive serving this population as challenging and frustrating due to their limited training. Therapists are highly motivated for comprehensive ASD training on ASD characteristics and intervention strategies. These data were used to tailor and package evidence-based intervention strategies for delivery in CMH services.

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (K23MH077584 and P30MH074678). Additionally, Dr. Brookman-Frazee is an investigator with the Implementation Research Institute (IRI), at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis; through an award from the National Institute of Mental Health (R25 MH080916-01A2).

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Correspondence to Lauren Brookman-Frazee.

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Brookman-Frazee, L., Drahota, A., Stadnick, N. et al. Therapist Perspectives on Community Mental Health Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Adm Policy Ment Health 39, 365–373 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-011-0355-y

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