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Research Study

Exploring access to respite care through hospitals/acute care services from the perspectives of families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Please read the below information regarding research that you may wish to participate in:

Emma Cooke is a PhD research student at the Nursing and Midwifery Faculty in Trinity College Dublin. She is conducting a research study ‘To explore access to respite care through hospitals/acute care services from the perspectives of families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.’


Emma is inviting individuals to participate in this study that focuses on identifying the pathways currently used by families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders to access respite care.


This study has the potential to identify a requirement for a range of respite services to be developed in a co-ordinated and structured way to meet the complex needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

If you would like to participate in this study you will be required to give consent. It is Emma’s intention to carry out interviews with either one or both parents if desired, to discuss your experiences of accessing respite care through hospitals/ acute care services. This can be organised at a time and location that is convenient to you and can be facilitated via zoom also. The interview will be audio taped and all information will be confidential. No identifiable information will be included in the study. Also, your right to withdraw from the study at any stage is guaranteed.


If you would like to participate in the study please contact Emma Cooke and suitable arrangements will be made to carry out the interview. Please read the participant information leaflet here, which outlines some questions that you may have. You will be given further opportunity to ask any questions on the day of the interview prior to taking consent.


If you have any questions before making a decision, please feel free to contact Emma at 0870551190 or via email at emcooke@tcd.ie.