Challenges in parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder : A study among 15 parents with ethnic Norwegian and ethnic minority backgrouind

Abstract

There are a number of challenges parents face parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder. The challenges lay in different spheres of life: getting used to the diagnoses and having realistic plans for the future, economic concerns, social contacts, cooperation with professionals, daily routine. The major purpose of this study was to identify challenges in the spheres of cooperation with different professionals and social contacts that parents face while raising a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The theoretical basis for the study is viewed from the perspectives of parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder, coping and social support systems approach. Within the framework of a quantitative approach, a questionnaire has been used to collect the data from fifteen parents. The study has revealed that the 15 parents of children with autism spectrum disorders did have access to cooperation with professionals within health, educational and psychological services, as well as some social contacts. Challenges they faced included problems related to time it took to get the services, access to professional support and satisfactory social network. On the other hand many parents experienced as a motivating factor the emotional support professionals gave them. Parents with ethnic minority background and with multiple children with special needs seemed to experience less satisfactory cooperation with professionals and also had less acceptable social network.