Purpose This study aims to examine and forecast the temporal behavior of Google search interest for the term “autism” in Brazil. The purpose of this study is to investigate the temporal dynamics of public attention and evaluate whether these dynamics can inform the planning of communication and inclusion policies. By linking digital attention patterns to policy timing, territorial outreach and inclusive public communication, the paper contributes to evidence-based strategies for autism awareness and social inclusion. Design/methodology/approach Monthly Google Trends data for Brazil were analyzed using time series forecasting models, including ARIMA, additive and multiplicative Holt–Winters specifications and additive and multiplicative Prophet models. The methodological procedure considered logarithmic transformation, stationarity assessment, differencing where required, residual diagnostics, information criteria and forecast accuracy indicators. The mathematical formulations of the models were retained to clarify the meaning of the stochastic process, smoothing components, seasonal effects and forecast errors. Findings The results indicate a marked seasonal pattern, with recurrent peaks in April and lower levels of relative interest in December and January. Among the evaluated specifications, the additive Holt-Winters model achieved the most accurate forecasting performance across the main error metrics. The ARIMA results indicate limited autoregressive persistence and a pronounced role for seasonal and short-lived innovations in the search series. The weak association between searches for “autism” and “prejudice” suggests little systematic linear co-movement between these aggregate query series; possible explanations for this pattern are cautiously discussed, as Google Trends does not identify individual search motivations. Practical implications The results support the strategic use of digital search data for planning autism-related communication, professional training and inclusive public policies. Awareness campaigns can be better timed around predictable peaks in April, while periods of lower attention can be used to prepare materials, train professionals and strengthen intersectoral coordination. Regional search patterns also suggest the need for territorially sensitive strategies, especially where online information-seeking may compensate for limited access to specialized services. Originality/value The study extends autism-related infodemiology from predominantly descriptive or event-centered analyses to comparative time-series forecasting of a long monthly series in Brazil. By comparing ARIMA, additive and multiplicative Holt–Winters and additive and multiplicative Prophet specifications, the paper evaluates whether recurring patterns of public attention can be forecast with sufficient stability to inform the timing of communication and inclusion policies.
Purpose This study aimed to examine the lived experiences of parents raising autistic children, focusing on diagnostic challenges, social stigma and the tension between medical and social disability models. Design/methodology/approach Through semi-structured interviews with 40 parents from specialized support centers, the authors explore how early recognition difficulties, masking behaviors and gendered experiences shape caregiving practices. Findings Findings reveal that parents experience significant emotional distress during diagnosis, compounded by societal judgment and pressure to conform. Research limitations/implications Despite these challenges, the parents’ words emphasize emerging strengths and a call to reconceptualize autism within a neurodiversity framework. This study demonstrates that integrating clinical indicators with familial experiences is essential for refining diagnostic protocols and support systems. Implications for clinical practice, policy reform and research underscore the need for inclusive approaches that view autistic traits as natural variations rather than deficits, urging revisions in practice, policy and community support. Social implications Beyond documenting parental difficulties, the study contributes a culturally situated interpretation of how diagnostic uncertainty, stigma, caregiving demands and neurodiversity-oriented meaning-making interact within a Palestinian service context. The findings extend existing literature by showing how these processes are experienced together rather than as isolated challenges. Originality/value This study offers an original qualitative exploration of Palestinian parents’ lived experiences of raising autistic children, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to examine diagnostic challenges, stigma, masking, gendered caregiving and neurodiversity. Unlike studies grounded primarily in clinical perspectives, it centers parental narratives to illuminate how sociocultural factors shape autism experiences in a conflict-affected setting. By integrating lived experiences with contemporary neurodiversity perspectives, the study advances understanding of autism beyond deficit-based models and provides practical implications for improving diagnostic pathways, family-centered support, professional practice and inclusive policies that promote acceptance and well-being.
Purpose This study aims to examine whether informing preschool teachers that a child has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis changes how they evaluate that child’s behaviour and which types of behaviour are most sensitive to such disclosure. Design/methodology/approach In Zagreb, Croatia, 105 mainstream preschool teachers formed an informed (n = 57) and an uninformed (n = 48) group. Both read six identical written vignettes describing a preschool boy: two social communication behaviours, two restricted and repetitive behaviours and two neutral behaviours. Versions differed only in the diagnostic information. Teachers rated each vignette on a five-point positivity scale within five seconds. Groups were compared using Mann–Whitney U tests with bootstrapped effect sizes and open-ended responses from the informed group were analysed thematically. Findings Compared with uninformed teachers, informed teachers rated social withdrawal (r = 0.28), sensory hyperreactivity (r = 0.47) and socially inappropriate reactions (r = 0.78) significantly more positively. No differences emerged for insistence on sameness or for the neutral behaviours, indicating that the disclosure effect was selective rather than global. Effects were largest for behaviour that would otherwise invite attributions of intentional misconduct. Thematic analysis indicated that diagnostic awareness fostered empathy, adjusted expectations and individualised approaches. Originality/value Whereas most research addresses general attitudes towards inclusion, this study isolates the immediate interpretative effect of a diagnostic label under time pressure. For parents weighing disclosure, it offers evidence that a label did not produce harsher judgements, while cautioning that more favourable ratings of vignettes are not evidence of changed classroom practice.
Purpose Autistic people experience academic, vocational, social, lifestyle and independence barriers. Understanding how these barriers differ across demographic groups is essential for designing targeted supports and interventions. This study aims to investigate the influence of age and gender on the types and frequency of barriers reported by autistic individuals. Design/methodology/approach Survey data were collected from 158 autistic participants, who reported on 40 barriers across three domains: academic and career challenges, social interactions and relationships and lifestyle and independence. A 2 × 5 independent measures factorial ANOVA was conducted to examine the effects of gender, age and their interaction on the number of barriers reported within each domain. Findings No significant differences were found in the number of barriers endorsed based on gender, age or their interaction for academic and career domain barriers. However, significant main effects of gender were identified for social and lifestyle barriers, with females reporting more barriers than males in both domains (social: p = 0.035; lifestyle: p = 0.002). Barrier frequencies by gender and age group were also identified and made available through an online tool. Originality/value This study highlights important gender and age differences in the types of barriers experienced by autistic individuals. The findings provide actionable insights that can inform the development of more tailored programs and supports to better address their diverse needs.
Purpose Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents challenges for public health systems due to its heterogeneity and complexity. The Step-by-Step Program was developed as an innovative, community-based mentalization-based intervention for autistic children aged 5–7 and their families. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of implementing this program within existing systems of care and to examine its preliminary effects. Design/methodology/approach An open trial was conducted with 16 autistic children and their families who participated in the Step-by-Step Program, a two-year intervention integrating weekly group therapy for children with alternating multi-family and parent sessions. Outcome measures included standardized assessments of child emotional and behavioral functioning, autism symptom profiles and parental satisfaction. Data were collected at baseline, midpoint, endpoint and one-year follow-up. Findings Findings indicated high feasibility, treatment adherence and strong family satisfaction ratings. Children demonstrated significant improvements in social communication, symbolic play, flexibility and emotional/behavioral regulation. These gains were not only maintained but further consolidated at the one-year follow-up. Families also reported reduced stress and increased capacity for understanding and supporting their child’s development. Research limitations/implications This pilot study supports the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the Step-by-Step program; however, several limitations should be considered. The open, uncontrolled design precludes causal attribution of observed changes to the intervention rather than to time or nonspecific therapeutic effects. This limitation will be addressed in future randomized controlled trials, for which the present findings provide essential pilot data. Additionally, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the final three months of treatment were delivered via telehealth, although outcome assessment and treatment procedures were maintained. Finally, parental perceptions of children’s mentalizing abilities were not assessed. Future studies should include measures of parental reflective functioning, a key treatment target of mentalization-based therapy for children. Practical implications This is a pilot study that describes the development and implementation of the mentalization-based treatment for autistic children in the context of the community mental health case system in Catalonia, Spain. Social implications The Step-by-Step Program appears to be a promising, feasible and effective early intervention model for autistic children and their families. Its integration into community mental health services suggests potential for sustainable, family-centered approaches that enhance social development and well-being. Originality/value The authors believe that the innovative aspects of this study include the adaptation of mentalization-based therapy for autism, long-term treatment and implementation in the local Catalone system of care.
