'Yebo, it was a great relief': How mothers experience their children's autism diagnoses.

BACKGROUND

There is an emerging body of knowledge on the lived experiences of parenting a child with autism from a maternal perspective. Mothers' reactions to their children's autism diagnoses have been identified as a key factor influencing their children's long-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This qualitative study aimed to explore how South African mothers experience their children's autism diagnoses.

METHOD

Telephonic interviews were conducted with 12 mothers from KwaZulu-Natal to understand their experiences prior, during and following their children's autism diagnoses. The data were analysed thematically according to the values of , social support, culture, tradition, interpersonal relationships, interconnectedness and continuity and compared to the existing scholarship, employing an Afrocentric theoretical lens.

RESULTS

The participants held strong cultural and religious beliefs which influenced the entire diagnosis process. Some, who waited a long time, turned to traditional healers or religious leaders. While some reported feeling relieved after the diagnosis, in the sense of at least having a name for their child's condition, they also reported feeling overwhelmed by the realisation that there is no cure for autism. Over time, mothers' feelings of guilt and anxiety declined, and they became increasingly resilient and empowered as their understanding of the meaning of their children's autism diagnosis deepened, but many continued to pray for a miracle.

CONCLUSION

Future research should focus on how to enhance support for mothers and their children during each of the three phases of autism diagnosis: prior, during and following their children's autism diagnoses.

CONTRIBUTION

The study highlighted the crucial role of community-based religious and cultural organisations in providing appropriate support to mothers and their children diagnosed with autism, aligned to the values of , social support, culture, tradition, interpersonal relationships, interconnectedness and continuity.