Abstract
Collaborative goal setting is recognized as a hallmark of good practice in early intervention (EI). This qualitative study describes mothers’ and practitioners’ perceptions of the utility of the Family Goal Setting Tool: Autism Spectrum Disorder Version (FGST: ASD Version), which supports family identification and prioritization of goals and collaborative engagement in goal setting meetings. Participants included nine mothers and 11 practitioners involved in an autism spectrum disorder–specific EI service in Australia. Participants were interviewed individually or in focus groups, with conversations transcribed verbatim. Inductive content analysis was employed. Four themes emerged with both mothers and practitioners, suggesting the tool facilitated (a) a comprehensive approach, (b) collaboration, (c) goal prioritization, and (d) reduction in stress of goal setting. Practitioners also described the tool as empowering families and enabling family-centered practice. Mothers and practitioners both reported positive impacts of using the FGST: ASD Version and recommended its continued use.
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