Abstract
In this study lies a heartfelt investigation into the lives of parents raising children living with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This dissertation presents a compassionate exploration of the daily lives of parents raising children diagnosed with ASD
Method: Through in-depth, individual interviews, focus group discussions, and individual questionnaires, the researcher unravelled the nuanced essence of 20 parents' experiences. Employing qualitative measures, the researcher delved into the intricate layers of their lives, capturing not only the raw authenticity of their personal lived experiences but also navigating through the complexities of their daily lives, unravelling social dynamics, and tracing the evolution of their beliefs and contexts over time.
Results: Parents of children living with ASD share the pain of discrimination and isolation, and the hopes they have to one day send their children into a world that embraces diversity and accepts ASD. Further, parents shared convictions that through ASD awareness and support, ASD acceptance is possible. In this sense, parents highlighted their hopes to overcome the gap between ignorance and understanding by members of the public. The findings of this study reveal the power of empathy through awareness and understanding, as well as the potential for transformation.
Conclusions: This study acknowledges certain limitations that may impact the generalisability of the findings. These include potential researcher bias and subjectivity, inherent constraints related to the study's scope, and the dynamic nature of the participants' ever-changing environments and contexts. Despite these limitations, the study offers a thorough exploration of the experiences of parents with
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children living with ASD. The findings underscore the critical importance of enhancing ASD awareness, fostering empathy, and providing robust support for both children with ASD and their parents. This research has practical implications for healthcare providers, educators, policymakers, and support organisations. This research report can lead to interventions and support systems to better address the needs of families of children living with ASD. The study aimed to investigate the experiences of parents with children living with ASD, focusing on determining parents’ perspectives of the public’s understanding, acceptance, or lack of acceptance of ASD.
Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), parents, lived experiences, ASD awareness, psychoeducational materials, ASD acceptance, ASD advocacy, Emotional challenges, Social misunderstandings, Public understanding, inclusion, Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Model, PPCT Model.