https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361318778903 Autism 1–8 © The Author(s) 2018 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1362361318778903 journals.sagepub.com/home/aut Introduction Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by challenges in social interactions and communication, as well as restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped behavior in affected individuals (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). In Taiwan, ASD is currently the third most common developmental disability (Lai et al., 2013), and its preva- lence is higher than that of the global average (Chen et al., 2015a). Moreover, the prevalence of ASD in Taiwan has been increasing yearly (Chien et al., 2011; Hsu et al., 2012), largely due to a broader concept of ASD, changes in diagnostic criteria, better ASD-related professional ser- vices, and increased public awareness of ASD (Hsu et al., 2012; Lai et al., 2013). In Taiwan, genetic testing for ASD (mainly chromosomal microarray analysis), a genetic test to identity some ASD- associated genes, is currently provided in the prenatal stage (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology National Cheng Kung University, n.d.; Dianthus MFM Center, n.d.-a; Ko’s Obstetrics & Gynecology, n.d.-a; neoGene Obstetric and Pediatrics Clinic, n.d.). Specifically, the amniotic fluid samples are tested for copy number variants Information needs in genetic testing: A needs assessment survey among Taiwanese parents of children with autism spectrum disorders Lei-Shih Chen 1 , Jungkyung Min 1 , Shixi Zhao 1 , Yu-Chen Yeh 2 and Tse-Yang Huang 3 Abstract We conducted the first needs assessment study by examining the information needs in genetic testing for autism spectrum disorders among parents of children with autism spectrum disorders in Taiwan. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders in 236 public elementary schools with special education services were invited to complete a survey. About two-thirds of participants (65.7%) had never heard about genetic testing for autism spectrum disorders. Yet, the majority (71.4%) expressed an interest in learning about this testing. The top three topics participants identified to assist them in making informed decisions before undergoing genetic testing (for themselves, their affected children, or other family members) were testing accuracy (79.7%), genetic causes of autism spectrum disorders (79.4%), and the link between testing and treatment (79.4%). A health education brochure (47.2%) was the most desired educational approach. Our results can be utilized to develop information and counseling materials for genetic testing for autism spectrum disorders in Taiwan as well as to address the needs of parents of children with autism spectrum disorders, particularly in informed decisions-making. Moreover, to promote better communication between the providers and parents, when discussing genetic testing for autism spectrum disorders with Taiwanese parents of children with autism spectrum disorders, healthcare professionals’ priorities should be in line with the preferred topics identified in this study. Keywords Autism spectrum disorders, education, genetic testing, needs assessment 1 Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA 2 Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA 3 Department of Special Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan Corresponding author: Lei-Shih Chen, Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, 4243 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA. Email: lacechen@tamu.edu 778903AUT 0 0 10.1177/1362361318778903Autism X(X)Chen et al. research-article 2018 Original Article