Child Rearing Experience of Mothers of School-Age Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the child rearing experience of mothers of school-age children with autism spectrum disorders in Korea. METHODS: Seven mothers were interviewed from October 2015 to January 2016. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Giorgi's phenomenological method. RESULTS: The study results showed that the child rearing experience of mothers of school-age children with autism spectrum disorders consists of six major themes: “facing unexpected situations”, “trying to accept children with disabilities”, “having considerably adjusted to the difficulties associated with the children's school life”, “experiencing frustrations”, “maintaining a child-centered life style”, and “being grateful for the present and looking forward to a better future”. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study show the need to provide more practically individualized and holistic services in the community for this population including their children such as lifetime education programs for the children and more financial aid for their therapies. In addition, the results reveal that mothers need physical, emotional, informational, financial, and social support to continue their life with children who have autism spectrum disorders.