Part 4: Parent’s Recommendations Regarding the Implementation of Family Navigation

Intent: The intent of this section is to hear parents’ perceptions about the implementation of family navigation. This includes whether parents believe a family navigator should be available to families, who would benefit more from a having a family navigator, and how family navigation should be introduced to families. “Now that we’ve discussed your personal experiences working with your family navigator, let’s talk about your views on having family navigation available to families.”

Q28: How do you think families can benefit from working with a family navigator?

• What kind of support (or resources) do you think families would like to receive from a family navigator? What kind of support is less important for families to receive?

Q29: Who (or what type of families?) would benefit most from working with a family navigator?

• What type of families would need more help or support from a family navigator? What families might need less help?

Q30: What do you think might make it hard for families and family navigators to work together?

• Do you think there might be any harms with working with a family navigator?

Q31: How should families be introduced to family navigation (or a family navigator)? (e.g. in-person or via phone)

• Who should make the introduction?

Q32: Navigators go through training about autism, the service system, and how to help parents through the diagnostic process. In your experience with your navigator, how well trained did she seem?

• How do you think training could be improved?  • Are there other things that the navigator could be trained in that you think would be helpful?

Q33: If you could change anything about family navigation, what would you change?

[Following the lead of the parent, ask follow up questions to specify WHO the modification should be for, WHAT exactly should be changed, the REASON for the change, etc.]  • [If not already mentioned]: Other parents have mentioned suggestions in the following areas: education for parents about autism and how to deal with having a child on the spectrum, better coordination between navigators and doctors, and longer periods of navigation. What do you think of these ideas?