Social Work Services – An Effective Intervention in Dealing with Problems of Families having Children with Autism

Abstract

In Vietnam, autism has only been known for more than 10 years but has quickly become a problem of social concern. Although there is no officially published data from 2000 to now, the number of children diagnosed and treated with autism in care facilities is increasing, each year is higher than the previous year (General Statistics Office, 2019).   Research results also show that families with children with autism are facing many problems such as financial difficulties, lack of care knowledge, stress, fatigue, and discord in the family (Morris, Muskat, Greenblatt, 2018; Newsome, 2001). Models of care, intervention, and support for children with autism and their families around the world are moving towards a holistic approach and emphasize on the providing of social work services because these services range from Prevention, Intervention, Restoration and Development content for children with autism and their families (Strunk, Leisen & Schubert, 2017; Shuai, 2018). In Vietnam, social work as a profession is still quite young when it was officially recognized as a profession through Decision No. 32/2010/QD-TTg “Development of the social work profession in the period 2010 – 2020” and recently continued to be developed in Decision 112/2021/QD/TTg “Social work development program for the period 2021-2030”. However, the national report summarizing 10 years of social work development shows that social work plays a major role in supporting disadvantaged groups (Department of Social Protection, 2021). Through assessment based on 150 parents having children with autism in care facilities in Hanoi, Hochiminh and Quangninh, this study aims to discuss problems of family having children with autism and recommend effective social work services to support them in this current context.