The beautiful challenge: families raising children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in Ontario

The current document is a paper-based thesis investigating the lived experiences of parents raising children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Ontario, Canada. Historically, researchers have approached the exploration of families with the notion that families of children with a developmental disability would present with a pathological profile. However, a recent paradigm shift has transitioned the focus from deficit-based outcomes to those that highlight positive outcomes. Therefore, the first paper included is a qualitative analysis of factors that facilitate family adaptation. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyze semi-structured interviews with parents of children with FASD. Parents utilize a number of coping strategies, supports, and transformational outcomes that enable them to adapt to raising their child with FASD. The second paper included is also a qualitative analysis examining demands that hinder family adaptation. Parents discussed five stressors that hinder successful family adaptation. Recommendations from parents of children with FASD and implications for increasing knowledge and awareness of the disability are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA) in Human Development

Grantor dc:publisher

Laurentian University of Sudbury

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Coons, Kelly D.

• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
• Developmental disability
• Families
• Parenting

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://laurentian.scholaris.ca/handle/10219/2108

OAI record oai:identifier

https://laurentian.scholaris.ca/server/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Alaurentian.scholaris.ca%3A10219%2F2108