Abstract
All written work in this thesis was done in a collaborative fashion between the researchers. The researchers conducted interviews with parent(s) with children on the Autism Spectrum. The remainder of the research, analysis and writing was a collaborative effort between both researchers.
There is limited information regarding the parental perspectives of raising a child diagnosed with autism. To be able to provide adequate services and support to this population, it was crucial that the researchers hear the stories first hand and give voice to those affected in order to identify the specific challenges this population faces. Our sources of data included five sets of parent(s) that met the criteria of having children within the ages of three to five years old, are diagnosed with autism, and are affiliated with Advance Kids. Parent(s) shared their daily life experiences and stressors after their child(ren) was diagnosed with autism. The parent(s) identified the importance that specialists within the field of autism should view them as the experts of their children. Other findings of large importance included the contributing factors regarding the children(s) diagnosis, having a support system in place, and expanding one's knowledge. An important positive outcome was strong desire by parent(s), to collaboratively work with the specialists in the field of autism.