Family-centered care practices in a multidisciplinary sample of pediatric professionals providing autism spectrum disorder services in the United States ☆

Abstract Family-centered care (FCC) has not been studied extensively in the field of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but has been highlighted as a critical component of practice with youth with ASD. The aim of this study was to examine predictors (e.g., the theory of planned behavior, [TPB]) of providing family-centered care (FCC) services to youth with ASD in pediatric professionals from a range of disciplines. A multidisciplinary (e.g., medicine, psychology, education, etc.) sample of professionals ( N  = 709) who endorsed providing services to youth with ASD in the United States was recruited from online provider listings, listservs, etc. Hierarchical multiple regressions examined the relationship of demographic and TPB predictors to professionals' self-reported FCC practices. Professionals reported a high degree of using FCC in their practice with youth with ASD. Attitudes and perceived behavioral control predicted self-reported FCC practices, while subjective norms did not. Experienced practitioners reported using FCC practices in spite of not having necessarily received FCC training. Discipline differences were evident in rates of reported FCC. The Theory of Planned Behavior is helpful in understanding FCC practices and attention should be given to training professionals in FCC as they work with youth with ASD. Implications and future directions are discussed.