Access to early intervention for children with ASD in Sweden: Supports and barriers involving culture, staff competence and inter-organizational aspects.

A prerequisite for positive development of children diagnosed with ASD is access to high quality early intervention. This symposium will describe supports and barriers inherent within the Swedish service system.  Study one presents and discusses perceptions of parents with diverse cultural, linguistic and ethnic backgrounds concerning early intervention and availability of resources. Study two presents’ case-study findings using participant observation in two preschools concerning staff competence, differing philosophical assumptions, inter-organizational and policy guidelines compromising EI.