Lived experiences of parents of children with autistic spectrum disorder in social interactions in selected schools of Lusaka district Zambia: a hermeneutic phenomenological approach.

Parenting a child is a challenging experience, let alone in social interaction with children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The type of ASD in a child goes with its complexity and it often puts parenting skills to the test. However, with worldwide challenges parents with children with disabilities encounter, it was imperative to undertake this study to establish the lived experiences of parents of children with ASD on social interaction in Lusaka District of Zambia. Without knowledge of whether the lived experiences of parents of children with ASD have ways in which they communicate /interact or not, it was further imperative to study how they managed children with ASD in their daily lives. The study used qualitative approach and a hermeneutic phenomenological research design which employed in-depth interviews to collect data. Non-probability criterion homogenous purposive sampling procedure was used to select parents of children with ASD from four special education units. The sample size comprised of 10 parents selected purposively. Qualitative data was analysed using N’vivo software package to organise and code before analysing of data. The study revealed that, parents of children with ASD did not have sufficient knowledge about ASD, especially on social interaction and more so, prior to diagnosis and consultation children. Additionally, it was established that parents did not have specific strategies on how to interact with children with ASD and that approaches were situational. The strategies, although not uniform ranged from: affectionate and rambling to fragmented emotional interactions with their children. Further, parents had challenges in communicating affectionately, particularly on unacceptable or inappropriate communicative touch, personal space, greetings and gestures. It was learnt that some parents felt embarrassed when they were unable to effectively interact with their children with ASD and when they exhibited behaviour problems in their attempt to interact with others. This often affected them as parents and their general socio-psychological well-being. It led to raised levels of stress, depression, divorce and anxiety, which reduced further, levels of interaction with children with ASD. The study concludes that parents of children with ASD in the study site, had a lot of challenges in their efforts to socially interact with their ASD children. The study recommends that Parents of Children with ASD be given sufficient knowledge on ASD as a condition and how to manage it especially in the area of communication, parents form, ‘parent to parent support groups for purposes of sharing information amongst others and social interactions with their children with ASD. The study further calls for the provision of necessary adapted play parks for children to socialize with. The study further recommends training or educating parents of children with ASD on various strategies on how best to engage with children into meaningful social interactions. It would be more beneficial to regularly facilitate interaction between parents and professionals on how to access support services associated with coping mechanisms and managing of social interaction. Key words: autism spectrum disorder, lived experiences, social interactions, challenging behavior.

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Zambia

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• Chalwe, Kalumba, Hellen

• Autistic children--Care.
• Parents of autistic children.
• Autism spectrum disorder.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

http://dspace.unza.zm/handle/123456789/7732

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.unza.zm:123456789/7732