Family oral health care for children with autistic spectrum disorder
a qualitative study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35699/2178-1990.2025.55206Keywords:
Autism Spectrum Disorder, oral hygiene, child care, family structure, caregiversAbstract
Aim: To understand the development of oral health care practices established by caregivers of children with ASD.
Methods: Qualitative research performed with mothers of children with moderate or severe ASD. The study used semi-structured interviews that were audio-recorded and scripted. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed with the Grounded Theory in three coding steps, and the data were interpreted based on the Transcultural Nursing Theory.
Results: From the three-step coding analysis, the data were organized into two big categories, grouping the intervening factors of the oral health care of children with ASD, the category “Cultural diversity in the care of autistic children” and the category “Cultural values behind the scenes”.
Conclusion: The constructed theoretical model may assist health professionals and collective entities for people with ASD and warn about the risk of blaming caregivers for failing preventive measures.
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