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Web End = J Child Fam Stud (2015) 24:23102321 DOI 10.1007/s10826-014-0034-1
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Web End = Parenting a Child with Aspergers Syndrome: A Balancing Act
Carole A. Robinson Kaley York Alexandra Rothenberg
Laura J. L. Bissell
Published online: 19 August 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014
Abstract This study provides an interpretive description of parents experiences of raising a child with Aspergers syndrome (AS). Thirteen parents (eight mothers; ve fathers) from eight families participated. Data were comprised of repeated semi-structured interviews with parents. The core concept of a balancing act was identied, and included two key themes: losing our footing and regaining our balance. Parents lost their footing when they experienced escalating challenges and lack of parenting success. They persevered over many years to nd an answer to their childrens problems. The diagnosis of AS was a turning point that initiated the process of regaining our balance, enabling parents to better understand both their children and the condition. In this part of the process parents gradually experienced parenting success and rebuilt their condence. The results of this study suggest that parenting a child with AS is a complex and evolving process in which parents struggle to nd the right balance for themselves, their child with AS, and their family as a whole. Parenting encompassed joys and sorrows and an important part of nding balance included the ability to acknowledge both the positive qualities of their children and the challenges of managing the condition. Lack of professional recognition of AS, as well as blame and stigma, negatively affected
these participants ability to parent and points to the critical need for further education of teaching and health professionals.
Keywords Aspergers syndrome Mothers and fathers
experience Parenting Qualitative Interpretive
description
Introduction
Aspergers syndrome (AS), a high functioning form of autism, is growing in prevalence, having risen tenfold over the past decade (Van Bergeijk and Shtayermman 2005). While denitive data regarding the incidence of AS are scarce (American Psychiatric Association [APA] 1994), within Canada it is estimated that one in 165 children has an...