| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立臺北護理健康大學 === 嬰幼兒保育研究所 === 105 === The aim of this study was to explore the narratives of retrospective experiences of author’s experiences in parenting her child with autism spectrum disorders. And four mothers selected through purposive sampling were invited to participate in the in-depth interviews. My real life story and the four interviews identified four main themes: predicaments and needs of families of children with autism spectrum disorder, the stress of mothers parenting children with autism spectrum disorders, social support and adjustment methods.
The results were as follows:
1. Psychosocial transition process of mother with autistic children: The narratives and interviews revealed both psychological and exterior adjusting processes of mothers’ while their children be diagnosed as autism. Phases are included in such process, namely, shock, doubt and denial, self-condemned, look for support, struggle and identification, passively and positively facing the reality, finally accept.
2. Predicaments of families of children with autism spectrum disorder: behavior problems, learning distress, after-school care arrangements, future employment and placement for autistic child. To predicaments within the family includes unstable marriage and burden of treatment pays. To mother, she has to accept others despise, limitation on business promotion, and disappointments to professionals. Mother takes most of the responsibility to take care of their autistic child, thus, predicaments stated above may bring hard education pressure for mother and siblings.
3. Social support for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders: The parents felt confused and uncertain when they faced difficulties and challenges in parenting their ASD children. Mothers considered that whether there is enough support has close relationship to their own growing background and personal characteristic. And spouses’ support played critical roles in the informal support system. When their spouses weren’t able to provide enough support, mothers would search for other family members to support them. However, support from elders and siblings is limited. In formal support, support from parent groups, organizations, professionals and social workers are still limited. Social resources were in general passive and not immediately available; therefore, it was very difficult for these parents to get timely and effective assistance including social welfare. The formal social support provided mostly informational and emotional support for the family with autistic children.
4. Adjusting process of mothers with autistic child: Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders experienced parenting stress. Their feelings, ways to cope with, psychological adjusting and support system affected the situation as a whole. In general, it’s a dynamic course that needs constant adapting and moving. As time goes by, these mothers adapt and settle their thought. Facing the future, we will have a great deal of various challenges. They seek for the life meaning and find a turning point in her life. Finally they get self-awareness and renew positioning.
Finally, based on needs of children with autism spectrum disorders and their mothers, recommendations were provided for relevant personnel and the departments concerned.
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