Abstract
M.A. (Counselling Psychology)
Mothers’ experiences of raising a child who has been diagnosed with autistic disorder or autism spectrum disorder are multifaceted and multidimensional. These experiences include both negative and positive aspects which at times occur simultaneously. The aim of this research was to explore three mothers’ lived experiences of raising a child who has been diagnosed with autistic disorder. This entailed their experiences prior to receiving a diagnosis of autistic disorder for their child to their present circumstances. A hermeneutic epistemological framework, which falls in the qualitative research approach, was used. Data were collected in the form of three written narratives and three interviews which were analysed using a hermeneutic epistemological framework and thematic analysis. The analysis of the data resulted in the identification of five metathemes: the journey towards a label, challenges, attempting to be a good enough mother, coping, and personal growth. The most prominent metatheme is the three mothers’ attempts to be a good enough mother to their child with autistic disorder. Furthermore, the metathemes seem to confirm that mothers’ experiences are multidimensional and multifaceted.