| Summary: | Aim: The aim of the study is to gain deeper understanding into the lived experiences of
parents at a stimulation centre in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and the coping
strategies they employ in caring for their children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Significance: As literature has focused on international studies this study has provided
deeper understanding of the lived experiences and coping strategies of parents of
children with ASD in a local setting within South Africa. Experiences across the age
spectrum of children, gendered differences in coping and the meaning behind having a
child with ASD provides a unique outlook on ASD as opposed to literature that focuses
on other areas.
Methods: Eleven parents participated in semi-structured interviews. These interviews
were triad, dyad or one-on-one interviews. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed
verbatim once completed. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and extract
themes.
Findings: The lived experiences of parents included stressful and devastating
experiences as well as positive meaning. Daily challenges were navigated by positive
and negative coping strategies with gendered differences in coping being evident.
Parents expressed mixed feelings about the benefits of support groups and provided a
road map of advice for other parents of children with ASD.
Conclusion: Parents of children with ASD undergo enormous stress and emotional
upheaval in caring for their children. However in addition to negative experiences, they
gain some positive meaning and see it as character building. Their experiences provide
useful information for other parents undergoing the same journey. === Thesis (M.O.T.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.
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