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<p>To access services for their children with autism, families often need to advocate across multiple service delivery systems. Advocacy is the process through which families communicate with practitioners to ensure that their children receive appropriate services. Without family advocacy, children may struggle to access services, receive fewer supports than they are eligible for, or have limited access to opportunities critical to their development. To advocate effectively, families must have knowledge of autism services. Yet, researchers often struggle to define and measure service knowledge; thus, the purpose of this study was to create a measure of knowledge of autism services. Specifically, we developed and tested the Knowledge of Autism Services measure with 65 English- and Spanish-speaking families of young children (aged 3–5) with autism. The scale demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s 𝛼 = 0.67). Further analyses revealed that the Knowledge of Autism Services measure reflected four subscales: autism knowledge; applying for and receiving services; health; and understanding services. Implications for research and practice are discussed.</p>

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Measuring Knowledge to Improve Advocacy and Access to Services

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月24日

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  • Bhabika Joshi,
  • Bridget C. Smith,
  • Meghan M. Burke

摘要

To access services for their children with autism, families often need to advocate across multiple service delivery systems. Advocacy is the process through which families communicate with practitioners to ensure that their children receive appropriate services. Without family advocacy, children may struggle to access services, receive fewer supports than they are eligible for, or have limited access to opportunities critical to their development. To advocate effectively, families must have knowledge of autism services. Yet, researchers often struggle to define and measure service knowledge; thus, the purpose of this study was to create a measure of knowledge of autism services. Specifically, we developed and tested the Knowledge of Autism Services measure with 65 English- and Spanish-speaking families of young children (aged 3–5) with autism. The scale demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s 𝛼 = 0.67). Further analyses revealed that the Knowledge of Autism Services measure reflected four subscales: autism knowledge; applying for and receiving services; health; and understanding services. Implications for research and practice are discussed.