Measuring family outcomes for young autistic children receiving interventions in China: The structure of the Family Outcomes Survey and predicting variables.

Researchers tested a family survey tool with 467 Chinese families who have young autistic children. The survey worked well for Chinese families, but parents gave lower ratings on family wellbeing compared to families in Western countries. Parents' education, job status, income, and time spent with their child affected their survey responses. This tool can help professionals understand how families are doing.

This study validated the Family Outcomes Survey, Form A (Chinese version) with 467 caregivers of young autistic children in China. The five-outcome structure proved appropriate for measuring family outcomes in this population. Chinese caregivers consistently rated all five outcomes lower than Western counterparts in the US and Australia. Caregiver ratings were significantly associated with educational attainment, employment status, family income, and time spent with their autistic child.

The study supports using this assessment tool with Chinese families of autistic children, though cultural and contextual factors may influence responses. The authors noted potential COVID-19 pandemic impacts on reported family outcomes during the study period.

Clinicians can use the Chinese Family Outcomes Survey to assess family wellbeing. Lower baseline ratings may reflect cultural factors requiring consideration. Families with lower education, income, or employment may need additional support. Time spent with child may be important outcome predictor requiring clinical attention.

Single-country study limiting generalizability. Potential COVID-19 pandemic impacts on responses not fully controlled. Cross-cultural comparison lacks detailed methodology. Sample characteristics not fully described. No longitudinal data to assess outcome changes over time.

Efforts to measure, document, and monitor family outcomes can be helpful to practitioners in developing and delivering effective and sustainable interventions. Researchers have developed the Family Outcomes Survey, Form A, for measuring the outcomes experienced by families of children in the early intervention/early childhood special education system. Little has been reported on how well the five outcomes on the Family Outcomes Survey, Form A describe the experiences and expectations of families of autistic children in China. We conducted a survey using the Family Outcomes Survey, Form A, Chinese version with 467 caregivers of young autistic children in China.

First, the five-outcome structure of the Family Outcomes Survey, Form A seemed to be appropriate for measuring family outcomes of autistic children in China. We also found that the Chinese caregivers of autistic children seemed to give general lower ratings on all five outcomes on the Family Outcomes Survey, Form A as compared to caregivers of children in early intervention/early childhood special education in Western countries like the United States and Australia. Furthermore, caregivers' ratings on the five Family Outcomes Survey, Form A outcomes seemed to be related to their educational attainment, employment status, family income level, and how much time caregivers spent with their autistic child. This study supported the use of the Family Outcomes Survey, Form A, Chinese version with families of autistic children in China.

We also discussed how the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic could have impacted the family outcomes as reported by the Chinese caregivers.