Perspectives of Parents of Preschool Children on the Experience of Parenting a Child with Asd
Open Access
Author:
Frey, Lauren E
Area of Honors:
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Kathryn D R Drager, Thesis Supervisor Dr. Carol Anne Miller, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
parenting autism ASD spectrum asperger
Abstract:
Many studies have been done on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and the effects that they have not only on the children affected by them, but also the families of those children. While these studies offer a unique insight into the stressors that parents of children with ASD face, they fail to encompass the entire experience, both the positive and negative aspects, of raising that child. This study utilized a qualitative research design to explore the benefits and challenges of raising a preschool-aged child with an ASD. Eight parents from around the United States participated in an online focus group. Each week, participants responded to a question about a specific part of their experience as a parent. In addition to responding to the question, the parents were asked to respond to at least one comment made by another parent. Parents identified the following themes in their responses: concerns for the child, concerns for self, school, extended family, siblings, the community, money, and the future.
