The purpose of this study was to examine how parents from different backgrounds parent their children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It was important to have these parents all have children who have been diagnosed around the same age and all have the same gender that was assigned at birth. This study was done to have a deeper understanding of the parent's point of view and how they have been able to accept it themselves. As one of the parents stated, “I think about my life before kids and now and it is difficult and being a parent with a kid on the spectrum, it can be lonely and depressing and isolating but you need to find your community of parents that understand.” This spoke wonders when understanding the struggle of having a child with autism when it comes to living a normal life. The hope of this study is to empathize these parents and have an appreciation and understanding of all they do for their children.
"It always seems impossible, until it's done."
-Nelson Mandela
"If you don't have a suitable and appropriate environment for a child with ASD then they will not be able to learn."
-Parent #1
"Just accept it, get all the help you need, and never be ashamed."
-Parent #2
“I think about my life before kids and now and it is difficult and being a parent with a kid on the spectrum, it can be lonely and depressing and isolating but you need to find your community of parents that understand.”
-Parent #3
"I just hope that it keeps getting better with age."
- Parent #4