Assessing the Impact of Parental Support System on the Development of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Pakistan

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) poses a great developmental issue particularly in communication, social interaction, and adaptive functioning areas where such children need consistent and specialized caregiving. The lack of diagnostic centers, the insufficiency of professional care, the lack of knowledge, and social stigma are limiting factors in the effective management of ASD in Pakistan, where the primary caregiver of the child is the parent. The objectives of the present studies are to identify the specific challenges faced by parents of children with ASD in Pakistan, to explore the coping mechanisms employed by parents to manage these challenges, to evaluate the effectiveness of existing parental support system in Pakistan, to assess the impact of parental support on the developmental outcomes of children with ASD, to investigate the role of socio-cultural factors in shaping parental support system, to Provide evidence-based recommendations to enhance parental support structures for families of children with ASD in Pakistan. The current research utilized the qualitative research design in its attempt to investigate the role of parental support system in the development of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Pakistan. Qualitative approach was chosen to ensure that parents lived experience, perceptions and coping strategies were captured in their socio-cultural background. The research was done in the selected urban and semi-urban regions of Pakistan. The research on special education centers, therapy clinics, and community-based organizations offering services to children with ASD were the sources of data collection. The target group was the parents or primary caregivers of children who had ASD. The sample comprised of mothers and fathers who were taking care of a child with ASD over a period of at least one year. The parents of children with severe co-occurring physical disabilities were not included in the research. Participants with pertinent experience in caregiving were chosen by using a purposive sampling method. This approach allowed incorporating parents having different socioeconomic and educational statuses. The data collection process would go on until data saturation is attained, usually 15-25 participants. The data were gathered by using semi-structured, in-depth interviews. The interview guide was formulated against the objectives and conceptual framework of the study. Interviews were done in either English or Urdu and they took about 45-60 minutes.