“We Try to Support Each Other, Stay Strong for Our Children”: Parents’ Experiences of Stress and Co-Parenting in Families Who Have a Child With Autism

Receiving an autism diagnosis is characterized by substantial life changes for families, as they must learn to orient healthcare systems and make considerable adaptations to their daily routine. Greater insight is needed on mothers’ and fathers’ psychological adjustment and co-parenting, to be able to offer appropriate supports and services to families. This study explored stress, adaptation, and co-parenting through semi-structured interviews with twenty parents (15 mothers and 5 fathers) of a child diagnosed with autism. Thematic content analyses revealed that parents had different ways of coping with stress and adjusting to their child’s diagnosis, both individually and as a couple. They shared ways in which their parenting relationship helped them adapt, as well as facilitators and barriers to their well-being. The findings portray that both mothers and fathers require support when raising a child with autism. Implications for interventions for the whole family system (child, parents, and couple) are discussed.