The Characteristics of Child-Rearing by Mothers Who Have Autism Spectrum Disorder（ASD）Without Intellectual Disability:

Experience of Raising Children Under Junior High School

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to clarify the characteristics of child rearing experienced by mothers who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but do not have intellectual disability, from the mother’s point of view. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six mothers, and analysis was performed using the modified grounded theory approach. It was found that mothers who had not yet been diagnosed with ASD when their children were infants struggled with emotional distance and tended to put their own needs above those of the child. However, mothers who had been diagnosed with ASD and worked to live with it were able to move to a style of child rearing that valued both the children and themselves. Moreover, they were able to move toward living with ASD as a parent-and-child unit and joining society on their own terms. Thus, this study suggests that support for child care by mothers with ASD should focus on the importance of a concrete outlook on the mother’s lifestyle and parenting, and should foster relationship building based on the unique qualities of both the mother and the child.