Abstract
The present research investigated how parents of children with high-functioning pervasive developmental disorders (HFPDD) first became aware of and recognized their child's condition. Participants in the study were 80 pairs of parents. The results showed important differences between the mothers and the fathers. The mothers noticed their child's condition earlier, were more seriously worried, and were more active in the treatment of the disabilities than the fathers were, prior to their child receiving a diagnosis. Even though the mothers had already recognized the child's condition, the official notification of the child's disabilities and the diagnosis triggered an emotional shock in the parents. Many of the fathers displayed only negative feelings, and were not willing to accept their child's disabilities easily, whereas many of the mothers displayed both negative and positive feelings, and accepted the situation willingly. After receiving their child's diagnosis, the parents recognized the disability up to one year. However, the mothers and fathers understanding of their child's disability differed.
