Perspectives of Parents of Early Elementary Children on the Experience of Parenting a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Open Access
Author:
Kras, Meredith Katherine
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:
Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD Parents Early Elementary Kindergarten First Grade Second Grade Experiences
Abstract:
Multiple studies have been conducted regarding autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and the individuals with ASD themselves. Studies have also been conducted that focus on specific aspects of family life for those families of individuals with ASD, including coping strategies and family dynamics. However, there is little research that encompasses all the aspects involved in parenting a child with ASD, including how parents perceive and handle raising a child with ASD and the positives and negatives of this experience. The current study was conducted using a qualitative online focus group design that allowed for the examination of the benefits, challenges, supports and needs of parenting an early-elementary school child with ASD. This study included ten parents from across the United States who participated in weekly discussion board posts and comments in regards to certain questions about their parenting experience. The parent participants in this study acknowledged many common themes such as the future, parental friendships, anxiety, classroom issues, medications, and sleep.
