Renegotiating roles, connections, and resilience : stories from families of young adults with autism

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the process of renegotiating roles, connections, and resilience in families of young adults with autism. Autism is characterised by persistent impairments in social functioning and communication which significantly impact one’s social, occupational, and daily functioning across the lifespan. The functioning and dynamics of families of individuals with autism are particularly affected by this condition. A narrative analysis (NA) was adopted, and eight individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with two families, comprising two young adults with autism, their parents, and their siblings. Findings were analysed and interpreted using the social model of disability, family systems theory, resilience theory, family life cycle model, and attachment theory, which also served as the theoretical frameworks for this research. This study revealed that as expected, the whole family unit was impacted by autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the member were also affected in diverse ways, based on their position in the family, understanding of ASD and the dynamics going on within the family over time. Practical implications of supporting families of individuals with autism through family therapy and systemic interventions are discussed. Suggestions for future research are also presented.