Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faculty Publications Article Faculty Publications -Articles Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Bharat, Rahul; Uzaina, Uzaina; Das, Kakoli; Baptish, Rincy Title A name given to the resource Navigating the Autism Journey: Parental Experiences, Barriers and the Role of Early Intervention in India Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01-01-2025 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience;Volume;85;Issue;5;Article No.;e70029; Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/jdn.70029" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1002/jdn.70029</a> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105009765234?origin=resultslist" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105009765234?origin=resultslist</a> Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Bharat R., Central North West London NHS Geniuslane, London, United Kingdom; Uzaina U., Geniuslane and Psyche Vitality, London, United Kingdom; Das K., Christ University, Bangalore, India; Baptish R., Geniuslane, Agra, India Description An account of the resource Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often encounter significant challenges in accessing timely diagnosis and appropriate support services. This study explores the experiences of parents navigating autism-related services in India, focusing on barriers to diagnosis, post-diagnosis support and the role of early intervention. Using a qualitative research design, we conducted focus group discussions with 11 parents of children with ASD and analysed the data using thematic analysis. Sentiment analysis and chi-square statistical testing were also applied to assess parental perspectives across key themes. The findings reveal systemic delays in diagnosis, limited public awareness and inconsistencies in service availability, which contribute to heightened parental stress. Parents expressed difficulties in implementing intervention strategies at home and reported challenges related to accessibility and affordability of professional support. Whereas some parents acknowledged the benefits of available services, many highlighted gaps in tailored, culturally appropriate interventions. Sentiment analysis showed a relatively even distribution of positive, neutral and negative sentiments across themes, indicating the complexity of parental experiences. This study underscores the need for a more structured and inclusive approach to ASD support, including digital tools, peer support networks and early screening programmes. Strengthening policy frameworks and expanding accessible interventions can enhance the effectiveness of autism services and improve outcomes for families. These findings contribute to the growing body of research advocating for parent-inclusive, culturally responsive autism support systems. 2025 International Society for Developmental Neuroscience. Subject The topic of the resource autism spectrum disorder; diagnosis; focus group; parental experiences; patient and public involvement; support services Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available John Wiley and Sons Inc Relation A related resource ISSN: 7365748; CODEN: IJDND Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource online