An ecological perspective on parents' experiences of having a child with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in the South African context.

[摘要] Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has traditionally been understood and treatedbio‐medically. However, bio‐ecological and eco‐systems theory, as well as a vastbody of literature, suggests that ASD has a systemic impact, unique to eachcontext. This study aimed to understand the systemic and ecological experiencesof parents’ to children with ASD in the South African context with regard to ASDand ASD intervention. Eight parents to children with ASD were interviewedusing a semi‐structured interview schedule. The data were analysed usingdeductive thematic content analysis. The study found that, in the South Africancontext, both Indigenous and Western Knowledge Systems impact on parents’experiences of having a child with ASD. It further found that ASD had a systemicimpact, and that current ASD intervention failed to target the needs across thesystem. Lastly, it found that stigma originates from both Indigenous and WesternKnowledge Systems, and that information about ASD is of great importance toparents in the South African context.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand