TY - JOUR
T1 - Grandparents’ Experience of Autism Spectrum Disorder
T2 - Identifying Primary Themes and Needs
AU - Hillman, Jennifer L.
AU - Wentzel, Michele C.
AU - Anderson, Connie M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
Copyright:
Copyright 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2017/10/1
Y1 - 2017/10/1
N2 - Limited information is available regarding the first person perspective of grandparents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). In the present study, 1870 grandparents of a child with ASD participated in a nationwide, online, anonymous, 30-minute survey and responded to open-ended questions including their “greatest challenges and greatest joys” as the grandparent of a child on the autism spectrum. A grounded theory approach to qualitative analysis revealed four overarching categories: a Desire for Connection, Barriers to Care, Celebration of Progress, and Personal Reactions. Despite the presence of significant challenges grandparents often experienced positivity in their role, and engaged in radical acceptance of their grandchild as well as transformative insight and advocacy. Specific recommendations are offered to help address grandparents’ needs and capitalize upon their resilience.
AB - Limited information is available regarding the first person perspective of grandparents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). In the present study, 1870 grandparents of a child with ASD participated in a nationwide, online, anonymous, 30-minute survey and responded to open-ended questions including their “greatest challenges and greatest joys” as the grandparent of a child on the autism spectrum. A grounded theory approach to qualitative analysis revealed four overarching categories: a Desire for Connection, Barriers to Care, Celebration of Progress, and Personal Reactions. Despite the presence of significant challenges grandparents often experienced positivity in their role, and engaged in radical acceptance of their grandchild as well as transformative insight and advocacy. Specific recommendations are offered to help address grandparents’ needs and capitalize upon their resilience.
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U2 - 10.1007/s10803-017-3211-4
DO - 10.1007/s10803-017-3211-4
M3 - Article
C2 - 28688077
AN - SCOPUS:85022034928
SN - 0162-3257
VL - 47
SP - 2957
EP - 2968
JO - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
JF - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
IS - 10
ER -