Examining the Challenges and Strategies for Mothers of Children with ASD in Saudi Arabia through an Autoethnography and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

Abstract

The purpose of this autoethnography and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by mothers of children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Saudi Arabia and the strategies they use to address these challenges. In addition, explore the feelings and meanings associated with these challenges and strategies. The study focused on Saudi mothers of children with ASD to align with my lived experience as a researcher and full member of this community. This study used my autoethnography writing as a mother of a child with ASD and online interviews with six Saudi mothers raising a child with ASD. The study found that mothers and I faced a range of challenges, including dissatisfaction with some diagnosis services provided to children with ASD, insufficient information, anger because lack of support, feeling lonely and isolated from society, and feelings of fear and worries. However, mothers and I also reported using various coping strategies, including spirituality, social media, and our own knowledge and self-learning are the key to our strength and success.