Current Situation of Access to Social Policies and Some Barriers for Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines the current status of access to social policies and identifies barriers to policy access among families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Vietnam. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining a questionnaire survey of 508 parents of children with ASD receiving intervention services across the country and 10 in-depth interviews to explore participants’ experiences. The findings indicate that only 38.2% of parents had actively searched for information on government support policies, while 35.6% had registered to receive policy benefits. Among families that had accessed support programs, priority health insurance (65.7%) and monthly financial assistance (60.2%) were the most commonly utilized policies, whereas inclusive education policies showed the lowest level of access (34.8%). Among families that had not registered for policy benefits, the most frequently reported barriers included concerns about children being labeled as disabled (46.5%), complicated and time-consuming administrative procedures (34.9%), and uncertainty regarding eligibility for policy benefits (32.7%). The results suggest that, in addition to informational and administrative challenges, psychosocial factors - particularly concerns related to stigma and disability labeling - constitute significant obstacles to policy access for families of children with ASD. The study recommends strengthening policy communication, simplifying administrative procedures, and promoting anti-stigma initiatives to improve access to social policies for these families.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, social policy, policy access, families of children with ASD, access barriers.