The Experiences of Mothers Living with Autistic Children: A Qualitative Descriptive Phenomenological Approach

Abstract

This study adopts a qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach to explore, analyze and document the experiences of mothers raising and living with autistic children. In doing so, the study recruited seven mothers of autistic children in Myanmar using a non-probability, purposive sampling method. Data was obtained through in-depth interviews and focus group discussion, and it was analyzed using Giorgi's method. Six major themes emerged: loss of parental hopes and childhood significances, initial recognition and diagnosis, misunderstanding and assumptions about autism, mixtures of emotions experienced by the mothers, challenges in nurturing autistic children, and the mothers' expectations about the future of their children. Raising and caring for an autistic child was challenging for the mothers as their children required constant care round the clock and for the entire span of their lives. Therefore, a comprehensive training in nursing is vital for these mothers. The findings of the study contribute to the literature on autism and forms as a basis for future research on this topic, especially on how living with an autistic child can have an effect on their siblings and other caregivers of autistic children using different approaches.