Single mother parenting of children with autism spectrum disorder: A qualitative photo-narrative study

Abstract

Over the past few decades, there has been a shift from the traditional family structure, with more acceptance of different structures, including those led by single parents. This qualitative photo-narrative study aimed at making the voices of single mothers raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) heard. According to the literature, parenting a child with a disability can be very stressful on several different levels. Seven single mothers living in southern Israel and parenting children with ASD told their life stories and took photographs depicting their motherhood experience. The data underwent thematic content analysis. The main themes that emerged were the shattering of the family dream, the mothers and the educational setting, the present in the shadow of the future, single parents' support resources and the mothers' search for meaning. The data demonstrated that the mothers' daily life was rife with challenges. Providing assistance and support during different stages, including diagnosis, educational transitions and daily struggles, as outlined in the Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement, was crucial. The mothers also stressed that they drew strength from their love for their child and their existing support systems.