Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Social workers' understanding of autistic spectrum disorders: an exploratory investigation

Preece, D. and Jordan, R. (2007) Social workers' understanding of autistic spectrum disorders: an exploratory investigation. The British Journal of Social Work. 37(5), pp. 925-936. 0045-3102.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: How social workers perceive autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) will inevitably impact upon how they assess the needs of children with ASD and their families, and upon the types of service or interventions they seek to provide to meet those needs. However, little is known of social workers' understanding of the condition. Using a research instrument devised by Mavropoulou and Padeliadu (2000), a study was carried out of all social workers working with disabled children in an English local authority. The results showed that though many workers had a good understanding of some aspects of the condition, there was also confusion about some key facts concerning ASD, the characteristics of ASD and scientific terminology, an inaccurate understanding of intervention approaches, and a more positive attitude towards the ability of generic services to meet need than was supported by the literature. Implications are discussed in terms of the provision of services to families of children with ASD in the UK, and the limitations of the study are recognised
Uncontrolled Keywords: autism, autistic spectrum disorders, social workers, attitudes
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology > HV697 Protection, assistance and relief > HV701 Children > HV888 Children with disabilities
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology > HV697 Protection, assistance and relief > HV699 Families
R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ499 Mental disorders. Child psychiatry > RJ506.A9 Autism
Creators: Preece, David and Jordan, Rita
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Northamptonshire and East Midlands: Education, Training and Skills
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Education & Humanities
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Education & Humanities > Special Education Needs and Inclusion
Faculties > Faculty of Education & Humanities > Special Education Needs and Inclusion
Date: July 2007
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 925-936
Journal or Publication Title: The British Journal of Social Work
Volume: 37
Number: 5
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcl089
ISSN: 0045-3102
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: Yes
Related URLs:
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/4817

Actions (login required)

Edit Item Edit Item