Relationships of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their Fathers

Authors

Terry Keller, Lourdes UniversityFollow
Julie Ramisch, Northern Illinois UniversityFollow
Marsha Carolan, Michigan State UniversityFollow

Abstract

This phenomenological study investigated the relationships between 7 fathers and their sons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Seven major themes emerged: Shared Activities, Developmental Sensitivity, Emotional Understanding, Fighting the Label, Fatherhood Expectations, Parent Responsibility, and Fatherhood Isolation. Fathers were sensitive to their sons’ emotional needs and developmental milestones. Clinicians can help fathers to develop appropriate relationships with their children that involve shared activities. Clinicians can also assist fathers in coping with isolation and expectations regarding fatherhood, developing desired fatherhood roles, and finding appropriate shared activities with their children.

Keywords

ASD, Child Development, Fatherhood, Parenting

Publication Date

8-18-2014

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2014.1025

Recommended APA Citation

Keller, T., Ramisch, J., & Carolan, M. (2014). Relationships of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their Fathers. The Qualitative Report, 19(33), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2014.1025