African primary caregivers' understanding and experience of having a child with autism.
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Date
2012
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Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) largely remains an unknown form of neurodevelopment
disorder, despite the global trend of increasing prevalence. South Africans, in general, have
little awareness and knowledge about this relatively rare form of neuro-developmental
disorder which could so easily be misunderstood due to the major areas of difficulty
experienced by children with ASD. The aim of this study is to explore African parents’
experiences in relation to having an atypically developing child who is eventually diagnosed
with ASD. A qualitative approach was adopted in this study, so that the researcher could gain
a “rich” description of the participants’ experiences of raising a child with ASD. The
pathways and steps taken to arrive at this diagnosis and their reactions to the diagnosis were a
central aspect of this research. Eight black South African parents (mothers and fathers) of
children who have been diagnosed with ASD, were interviewed to ascertain their
understanding of their both typical developmental patterns and their child’s atypical
development, the experience of getting the diagnosis and the experience of how raising a
child with ASD has been and is for them as African parents. The data obtained was analysed
using thematic analysis. The results suggested that African parents experience and
understanding of ASD is largely influenced by their frames of reference. Further, the parents
turned to their traditional beliefs when faced with challenges. However, other interventions
such as religion and finally the western practices were explored by the parents. This study
therefore concludes that the African parents understanding and experiences of raising a child
with ASD is initially influenced by the parents cultural frame of reference and later by
western exposure.
Description
Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.
Keywords
Autism spectrum disorders., Parents of autistic children., Autism in children--South Africa., Autistic children--South Africa., Theses--Psychology.