Examining the opinions of psychologists working in health institutions about their experiences in the process of evaluating children with autism

The aim of this study is to examine the experiences of psychologists working in health institutions in a province located in the Central Anatolia Region while evaluating children with suspected or diagnosed autism spectrum disorder. In this qualitative research, eleven psychologists actively working in healthcare institutions were included, and data were collected through personal information forms and semi-structured interviews. According to the findings, families mostly seek health institutions due to their children's deficiencies in social development. During the evaluation process, psychologists use screening, diagnostic, and intelligence tests, as well as frequently collecting data related to the child through clinical observations and information gathered from family interviews. It was determined that in interviews with families, information about the child's developmental stages was mostly obtained. After the evaluation, families are often given a general briefing. Throughout the entire process, the most frequently encountered problem was identified as stemming from family reactions. In the final part of the study, the findings are discussed in relation to the literature, and recommendations are provided for practitioners and researchers.