The Gender Dimensions of Parenting a Child with Autism: A Phenomenological Study in Addis Ababa

Abstract

Parenting a child with autism is a unique experience that presents considerably
higher levels of parenting challenges and psychological distress. This study
was conducted in Addis Ababa to understand parents’ experience of parenting
children with autism and analyse such phenomenon from a gender
perspective. Seven parents, two of whom were fathers, who sent their children
to Nehemiah and Ryan Autism centres were purposively selected to
participate in the study. Another parent was included through snowballing.
Data were gathered through in-depth interviews using semi-structured
questions. The findings of the study revealed that parents had gone through a
series of emotional upheavals and distress before accepting their children’s
situations. They encountered multifaceted problems related to lack of
understanding on the part of their communities, lack of facilities that suit the
needs of their children with autism, lack of time for their personal and
professional lives, and lack of finance to meet the unique needs of their
children. Mothers experienced a greater caregiving burden compared to
fathers, and sacrificed in the various dimensions of their lives.