Being a Parent of a Child With Autism From Diagnosis to the University Years

Abstract

When literature is examined, it is seen that generally there are descriptive studies examining the effects of young children with autism in a certain age or age range on their parents' marital and family relationships as well as psychological conditions such as mourning, stress, anxiety, and depression. Longitudinal studies on the social experiences of parents of children with autism are scarce. It was observed that there was not a longitudinal study in Turkey, evaluating the emotional processes parents live through from the years when their children are diagnosed with autism until the university education, the changes they experience in family relations, the problems they encounter in their children's education process, and the emotional-social support services they receive/do not receive. This study is a qualitative study that examines the 15-16 years of experience of autistic children's parents by analyzing video interview records that were carried out using a semi-structured interview form. The results were examined under seven themes and five sub-themes, and the results that were obtained were in accordance with the literature.

Microaggression Experiences of Fathers With Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…There have also been couples or family counseling interventions that can be useful for parents and families living with and parenting individuals with autism. First, interventions that connect parents to parenting social support (Girli, 2018) and strengthen their partnerships given the normative stressors associated with parenting individuals with autism (Hartley, Barker, Baker, Seltzer, & Greenberg, 2012) are particularly useful. A second recommendation is drawn from Structural Family Therapy (Minuchin, 2012; Reiter, 2016).…”

Validitas Konstruk Porter Parental Acceptance Scale (PPAS) Pada Orang Tua Anak Dengan Autis

“…Berbagai reaksi orang tua terhadap kehadiran anak dengan ASD antara lain syok, bingung, marah, depresi dan pesimis tentang masa depan anak (Girli, 2018). Sebagian besar orang tua merasa kecewa, tidak bahagia, bahkan menolak kehadiran anak (Topan dkk., 2019).…”

Anxiety and Depression Symptomology in Adult Siblings of Individuals with Autism

“…While the present study aims to evaluate sibling effects, the research pertaining to parents is relevant as parents and their interaction with all their children have a substantial impact on the outcomes of siblings. A signi cant portion of research regarding the familial experience of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has focused on the experience, supports and challenges faced by the parents of children with ASD (Hartley et al, 2010;Hsaio et al, 2016;Girli, 2018;Celia et al, 2020). For example, the concept of parents who become "Battle Weary" was explored by Celia et al (2020).…”

“…Parents who have to constantly advocate and "battle" for their children suffer signi cant stress and become weary over time. Girli (2018) explored the experiences of parents of children with ASD over their prime education years. They found that in addition to the consistent advocacy that parents have to make in order to ensure health and care for their child with ASD, as explored by Celia et al (2020), that they experience large shifts in mind-sets from their expectations from pre-birth to diagnosis.…”