Parents talked about the importance of therapeutic rapport between the professional and the child with ASD, and the professional and parents. Chris’s statement about the importance of “knowing the child” was consistent with many families: “This really experienced expert psychologist first came on and was trying to do all this consulting stuff right away. We’re like, ‘No, you don’t know us, you don’t know Christopher.’ Autism is so wide! It’s not a textbook thing.” Multiple parents also talked about difficulties with professionals, primarily in the education system, who “have a hard
time seeking or receiving help, especially from families” and “were not receptive to us, working with us, and sharing ideas.” These negative comments were all related to teachers and/or principals, not registered health professionals.