Abstract
The aim of this study was to clarify the special needs of adolescents and adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HF-ASD) and their parents. Twelve mothers of people with HF-ASD were interviewed with respect to their own and children's special needs. The verbatim records of the interview were analyzed using Modified Grounded Theory Approach (M-GTA). On the basis of the narratives, a process model was constructed that illustrated interrelationships among the needs categories composed of conceptions. Through the analysis, five categories were constructed: (A) hope that much more people understand the traits of ASD and its diversity, (B) need for early detection and treatment, (C) need for support for daily life, medical care, and treatment for deuteropathy, (D) need for support related to learning and school life, and (E) need for support for independent life of people with HF-ASD. Category E was divided into two subcategories, namely need for a system for people with HF-ASD to live independently and need for support for finding a job. Because category A seemed to be interrelated with all other categories, it was regarded that such a hope is a common need of mothers of people with HF-ASD. It was considered that category E reflected mothers' most urgent desire in the present situation. In addition, the necessity of further investigations based on an interview with the people concerned (people with HF-ASD) was discussed.
