Changes in maternal feelings for children with autism spectrum disorder after childbirth: The impact of knowledge about the disorder

Abstract

The social interactions between caregivers and their children play a crucial role in childhood development; therefore, caregivers’ feelings for children are critical for the development of social minds. Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are known to experience higher levels of stress. However, knowledge regarding mothers’ feelings for their children before receiving a clinical diagnosis is limited. This study retrospectively investigated the time course of mothers’ feelings from the time of birth and the effect of protective factors. The participants were 5- to 8-year-old children with an ASD diagnosis and their mothers. The mothers of the children with ASD had less positive feelings toward their children than the mothers of the typically developed (TD) children before receiving a clinical diagnosis. Intriguingly, prior knowledge of ASD may relieve maternal mental distress during the child-rearing years and at the time of diagnosis.

Association between distress and knowledge among parents of autistic children

“…This would suggest that knowledge could have a detrimental impact if families lack appropriate support in navigating the needs generated by that knowledge. As such, empowering families with knowledge of both the condition and of the supports available are potentially key to reducing distress by improving acceptance of the condition: mothers who recalled having a higher confidence in knowledge of ASD in general at the time of their child’s ASD diagnosis also recalled positive feelings for their children [40]. Further research assessing both help-seeking behavior along with quality of care in examining the relationship between distress and knowledge is needed to inform this question.…”

Mental Health and Health Behaviour Changes for Mothers of Children with a Disability: Effectiveness of a Health and Wellbeing Workshop

“…Parenting a child with a disability is more demanding than parenting a typically developing child and requires significant time, attention and self-education (Bourke-Taylor et al, 2010 ; Luijkx et al, 2017 ; Tomiyama et al, 2018 ). Parents experience physical and mental health disparities indicating that family centred practice is essential to support the family unit (Chambers & Chambers, 2015 ).…”