Self-reported needs of caregivers of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Objectives Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a major impact on caregivers. We aimed to describe caregivers' perceptions concerning their level of knowledge about ASD and their needs to better adapt education and training programs. Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted through a declarative and self-administered survey in France. Results 1,013 individuals answered the questionnaire in 2020. If most caregivers felt they had sufficient knowledge about ASD, they still expressed a high level of needs regarding acquiring knowledge, identifying available resources, and finding social/emotional support. Conclusions This study highlights the high level of needs of caregivers and their expectations of improving their knowledge and skills to help the person with ASD.