Narratives Published on the Internet by Parents of Children With Autism

Abstract

The purpose of this study Was to mobilize the stories of parents of autistic children as a prism for understanding the adjustment process. To do so, I qualitatively analyzed 20 personal stories by parents of children diagnosed With a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) that those parents published on the Internet. I analyzed the narratives from a textural standpoint, based on adaptation of a methodology developed by Labov (1982). All narratives Were found to have a certain degree of similarity in the core story presented (the “complicating action”). Recognition of the child's disability Was tied to diagnosis. FolloWing diagnosis, parents changed their behavior and galvanized themselves for intensive activity and care of their autistic child. The stories described the Way the parents have coped With autism. Autism Was seen as challenge. Thus, the parents Who publicized their experiences perceived themselves not as victims but, rather, as one parent put it, as “daring mountain climbers.”

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