Adults with a ASD symptoms parenting a child with ASD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What are the experiences of adults with a high number of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms who have a child/children with ASD?
IRAS ID
231035
Contact name
Elise Marriott
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong, neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by difficulties with social communication and interaction, and restrictive and repetitive patterns of behaviours or interests. Research has consistently reported that parenting a child with ASD is associated with many challenges, and increased parenting stress and parental mental health problems. Parents have described difficulties such as being unable to judge their child’s mood, struggling with their child’s inflexibility and having difficulty managing challenging behaviour. \n\nASD is highly heritable and therefore there is an increased probability that an adult with ASD (or ASD symtpoms) will go on to have a child with ASD. However, very little literature exists regarding these parents. Given that adults with ASD often experience social and occupational difficulties, it could be hypothesised that parenting a child with ASD may be even more challenging when the parent also has symptoms of ASD. On the other hand, these parents may be better able to understand their child. \n\nThe current research will explore the lived experiences of parents who have a high number of ASD symptoms with children who have ASD. Twelve parents will be recruited who will have a high number of ASD symptoms (as measured on a screening tool) and a child with a diagnosis of ASD. Each participant will take part in a semi-structured interview for approximately 1 hour. Interview questions will inquire about participants’ experiences of being a parent, parenting a child with ASD and factors which may impact on their experience of being a parent. A short questionnaire will also be used to gather demographic information. Each participant will be compensated with £15 for taking part in the study. \n\nFindings will inform understanding of the experiences of families where both the parent and child has ASD, and therefore influence clinical practice, service provision and future research.\n
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SC/0577
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion