Exploring challenges and support structures of mothers with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the United Arab Emirates
- PMID: 34864432
- DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2021.104138
Exploring challenges and support structures of mothers with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the United Arab Emirates
Abstract
Background: Mothers with children with ASD, often being primary caregivers, experience high levels of parenting stress and hold essential information about their children's wellbeing. There is however lack of information about their experiences in the UAE.
Aims: The study aims to explore challenges and support structures of mothers with children with ASD in the UAE.
Methods and procedures: 17 expat mothers (Age range = 33-58 years) with a child with ASD were interviewed about their experiences with diagnoses, therapeutic interventions, support networks, and the pandemic.
Outcomes and results: Thematic analysis showed that initially most mothers struggled with accessing information to seek correct diagnoses, admission in mainstream international schools with typically developing children, and finding appropriate therapeutic services. Several mothers narrated experiences of not receiving optimum support from their partners, feeling rejected from extended family members, and facing hardships during the pandemic. Majority however appeared to be extremely satisfied with support groups where they felt heard and exchanged experience-based information crucial for children's wellbeing.
Conclusions and implications: Findings highlight the need for the government to facilitate centralized channels of information for expat parents with children with developmental disabilities, formalizing more support groups for mothers in the UAE, and increasing knowledge about autism to decrease biases.
Keywords: Developmental disabilities; Diagnosis; Middle East; Pandemic; Support Groups.
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Similar articles
-
Mothers' evaluations of fathers' contributions to raising children with autism spectrum disorder in the United Arab Emirates.BMC Psychol. 2024 May 7;12(1):253. doi: 10.1186/s40359-024-01717-6. BMC Psychol. 2024. PMID: 38715136 Free PMC article.
-
Parenting children with autism spectrum disorder in the United Arab Emirates: Exploring perceptions towards using the picture exchange communication system to enhance the development of children with autism spectrum disorder.BMC Psychol. 2022 Sep 30;10(1):229. doi: 10.1186/s40359-022-00932-3. BMC Psychol. 2022. PMID: 36180961 Free PMC article.
-
Accessibility of nutritional services for children with autism spectrum disorder in the United Arab Emirates: Insights from special education teachers and parents.Res Dev Disabil. 2023 Jul;138:104521. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2023.104521. Epub 2023 May 4. Res Dev Disabil. 2023. PMID: 37148575
-
Autism spectrum disorder in the United Arab Emirates: potential environmental links.Rev Environ Health. 2020 Jul 14;35(4):359-369. doi: 10.1515/reveh-2020-0025. Print 2020 Nov 18. Rev Environ Health. 2020. PMID: 32663174 Review.
-
Parents' experiences of caring for a child with autism spectrum disorder.Qual Health Res. 2015 Apr;25(4):569-83. doi: 10.1177/1049732314552455. Epub 2014 Sep 22. Qual Health Res. 2015. PMID: 25246329 Review.
Cited by
-
Fathers' involvement in raising children with intellectual disabilities: Mothers' ratings of the contribution of their spouses.PLoS One. 2024 May 22;19(5):e0294077. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294077. eCollection 2024. PLoS One. 2024. PMID: 38776303 Free PMC article.
-
Nationwide study of fathers' involvement in the rehabilitation of children with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates.Heliyon. 2024 May 9;10(10):e30980. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30980. eCollection 2024 May 30. Heliyon. 2024. PMID: 38770347 Free PMC article.
-
Mothers' evaluations of fathers' contributions to raising children with autism spectrum disorder in the United Arab Emirates.BMC Psychol. 2024 May 7;12(1):253. doi: 10.1186/s40359-024-01717-6. BMC Psychol. 2024. PMID: 38715136 Free PMC article.
-
Fidelity of family centered care model to early disability diagnosis and rehabilitation in the United Arab Emirates.PLoS One. 2024 Apr 4;19(4):e0301094. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301094. eCollection 2024. PLoS One. 2024. PMID: 38574099 Free PMC article.
-
Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on Psychological Distress among Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role of Problem-Solving Appraisal.Behav Sci (Basel). 2024 Jan 10;14(1):46. doi: 10.3390/bs14010046. Behav Sci (Basel). 2024. PMID: 38247698 Free PMC article.
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical