Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40601405›Full record

ArticleChild: care, health and development2025

Caregiver Peer Support for Families of Autistic Children in France.

Jeffrey McCrossin, Lucyna Lach, Sophie Biette, Émilie Cappe

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Child: care, health and development, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Jeffrey McCrossinMcGill University, Montreal, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1054-2837
Lucyna LachMcGill University, Montreal, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3542-1529
Sophie BietteAdapeila, Nantes, France.
Émilie CappeLaboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, Université Paris Cité, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4792-8653

Funding

Fonds de recherche du Québec - SantéMcGill UniversitySocial Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCaring for autistic children presents significant emotional and practical challenges, impacting family well-being and creating a need for social supports. In France, these challenges are compounded by historical reliance on psychoanalytic approaches to autism care. This study aims to identify caregiver peer support programmes for families of autistic children in France and explore their contributions to autism care.

methodsAn environmental scan was conducted to identify relevant caregiver peer support programmes. This approach involved an internet search using keywords related to autism, caregiver peer support and France, supplemented by informal consultations in the autism support community to contextualize findings and refine the identification of programmes. Inclusion criteria focused on services offering ongoing support to caregivers by peers. Data extraction was performed on publicly available sources and through direct correspondence with service administrators.

resultsSixteen organizations were identified, offering various forms of caregiver peer support, including group meetings and individual follow-ups. Most services were in-person, with some online options. Peer support roles varied between paid and volunteer positions. Few organizations reported offering training to peers. Key support formats included informal gatherings like discussion groups focusing on emotional support, sharing experiences and advocacy. However, inconsistencies in the availability of detailed information about services and peer training highlight limited clarity in programme descriptions, which may pose challenges for families seeking support.

conclusionsCaregiver peer support is underdeveloped in France. Insufficient detail regarding service delivery models, support structures and training hinders broader accessibility and adoption. Aligning terminology and promoting the value of caregiver peer support could enhance its role in autism care. Future research should evaluate the impact of these programmes on caregiver and family outcomes and explore stakeholder experiences to refine support mechanisms. SUMMARY: Caregiver peer support for autism is underdeveloped in France. Despite its recognized value in improving family well-being, these services remain limited and inconsistently implemented across the country. Many programmes lack peer support training for caregivers, highlighting opportunities to improve the quality and sustainability of the support provided to families of autistic children. There is significant variation in how caregiver peer support services are offered, ranging from informal gatherings to individualized support, with a recent shift towards professionalizing the role of peer supporters. Standardizing terminology, promoting caregiver expertise and researching programme outcomes could enhance the impact of caregiver peer support on family well-being and autism care in France. The unique challenges and developments in France's caregiver peer support system offer valuable insights into the broader processes and evolution of peer support on a global scale.

Indexed as

Autistic DisorderCaregiversPeer GroupSocial SupportChildFranceHumansautism spectrum disorder (ASD)caregiver peer supportfamily well‐beingFranceneurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD)support programmes

Identifiers

PMID40601405
PMCPMC12220282

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.