Autism : the effects on the parents

Abstract

This study aims to explore the lived experience of parents who have children diagnosed with autism. The research question posed is: "How do parents of children diagnosed with autism live this parental experience and how has this experience changed with time?". A phenomenological approach is used to explore this topic through in-depth semi structured interviews with observations of the interaction between parents and children who are either older than 17 years or younger than 7 years. Results show that despite the similarities present between the reactions of the participants, clear differences exist, some of which are directly related to the services and knowledge available at the time of the diagnosis. Being one of a minority of studies carried out in Malta about this topic so far, this study can be used to generate awareness about the significance of autism in the life of the parents and the importance of services in relation to this.