Buried by autism: older parents’ perceptions of autism

Abstract

In this study, we explored older parents’ perceptions of their adult sons and daughters with autism in order to gain insights into how parents’ beliefs about autism may influence their coping. Narrative analysis of in-depth interviews held with 16 parents aged 60 years and older of adults with autism revealed that these parents perceived that their son’s or daughter’s intelligence, sense of humour and social personality are blocked by autism. Adherence to these beliefs appeared to comprise important coping strategies that supported these parents in their caregiving roles by assisting them to maintain positive perceptions of their son or daughter with autism. Yet such beliefs also held costs for the parents, including reinforcing the belief that they need to regulate their own behaviour in order to realize the true son or daughter buried by autism.