Date of Submission

2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Stephanie Felgoise, PhD, ABPP

First Advisor

Susan Panichelli Mindel, PhD

Second Advisor

Alexa Bonacquisti , PhD

Third Advisor

Cristina Sperrazza, PsyD

Abstract

Families in the United States often face significant delays in accessing autism-related healthcare services. Despite routine autism-specific screenings at 18- and 24-month pediatric visits, there is still, on average, a gap of over two years before families receive an autism diagnosis (Chen et al., 2023). Although the literature cites factors like limited access to specialized providers and a lack of autism-specific services contributing to this delay (Cantor et al., 2020), further research is needed to explore the underlying factors influencing providers' decisions to specialize in an autism-related healthcare service. Thus, the current study used a mixed-methods, internet-based survey to examine the factors that may have played a role in early-career psychologists' consideration to pursue specialized training in autism. Participants included early-career psychologists who graduated within the past five years from their doctoral programs. Results revealed that all factors, except for Self-Efficacy and Social Influences, were viewed similarly by participants, in terms of both level of agreement and perceived importance of each statement. Self-Efficacy and Social Influences showed higher agreement but lower importance ratings. Participants emphasized the need for more training on autism during and after graduate school, as well as a greater focus on identity-first clinical approaches. Ultimately, early-career psychologists chose their specialization based on a strong sense of social responsibility and alignment with their specialization. Findings from this study can be used to encourage more individuals to pursue specialized training in autism.

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