Children with autistic spectrum disorder: perception and experience of families

Abstract

Introduction: Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is part of neurodevelopmental disorders, which are behavioral and cognitive. These symptoms appear according to the child's development, however, most of the time, they present themselves before the age of three, and they may evolve to greater intensities or not.

Objective: To analyze the experience of families with children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Methods: Exploratory study with a qualitative approach carried out at the Associação de Pais e Amigos dos Excepcionais (Association of Parents and Friends of the Exceptional/APAE). 46 families and 10 professionals participated in the study. For the analysis of the results, the technique of content analysis proposed by Bardin was used. The research project for this study was approved by the Ethics Committee for Research with Human Beings under opinion No. 3172.942 on February 27, 2019.

Results: It was evident that the family is an important instrument for the care of children with ASD and, for this reason, it should be seen in an integrated and not fragmented way in care, thus revealing the need to promote actions that take care of the caregiver and not just of the child itself, because as seen, every process that goes from birth to diagnosis and treatment of the child requires changes that can also bring harm to the health of the family.

Conclusion: The experience of families of children with ASD goes through phases of acceptance and adaptation and depends on the interaction and assistance of professionals so that they can, despite life changes, perceive them as important in promoting the child's life from the motor and cognitive interaction with society.