Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has traditionally been understood and treated bio‐medically. However, bio‐ecological and eco‐systems theory, as well as a vast body of literature, suggests that ASD has a systemic impact, unique to each context. This study aimed to understand the systemic and ecological experiences of parents’ to children with ASD in the South African context with regard to ASD and ASD intervention. Eight parents to children with ASD were interviewed using a semi‐structured interview schedule. The data were analysed using deductive thematic content analysis. The study found that, in the South African context, both Indigenous and Western Knowledge Systems impact on parents’ experiences of having a child with ASD. It further found that ASD had a systemic impact, and that current ASD intervention failed to target the needs across the system. Lastly, it found that stigma originates from both Indigenous and Western Knowledge Systems, and that information about ASD is of great importance to parents in the South African context.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) largely remains an unknown form of neurodevelopment disorder, despite the global trend of increasing prevalence. South Africans, in general, have little awareness and knowledge about this relatively rare form of neuro-developmental disorder which could so easily be misunderstood due to the major areas of difficulty experienced by children with ASD. The aim of this study is to explore African parents’ experiences in relation to having an atypically developing child who is eventually diagnosed with ASD. A qualitative approach was adopted in this study, so that the researcher could gain a “rich” description of the participants’ experiences of raising a child with ASD. The pathways and steps taken to arrive at this diagnosis and their reactions to the diagnosis were a central aspect of this research. Eight black South African parents (mothers and fathers) of children who have been diagnosed with ASD, were interviewed to ascertain their understanding of their both typical developmental patterns and their child’s atypical development, the experience of getting the diagnosis and the experience of how raising a child with ASD has been and is for them as African parents. The data obtained was analysed using thematic analysis. The results suggested that African parents experience and understanding of ASD is largely influenced by their frames of reference. Further, the parents turned to their traditional beliefs when faced with challenges. However, other interventions such as religion and finally the western practices were explored by the parents. This study therefore concludes that the African parents understanding and experiences of raising a child with ASD is initially influenced by the parents cultural frame of reference and later by western exposure. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Attachment theory is concerned with the relational ‘tie’ that exists between a mother and her child, which is said to play an imperative role in a child’s mental development and future attachment relationships. Although there is extensive research on attachment theory on an international scale, there is a paucity of information with regard to this in the South African context. The object of this study is to investigate mothers’ experiences of attachment with their child who has an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In addition this research aims to investigate whether this attachment relationship between a mother and her ASD child differs, or is the same across diverse socio-economic groups in the South African context. This research was qualitative in nature, which elicited rich, descriptive and personal accounts of mothers’ experiences of attachment with their ASD child across diverse socio-economic groups. Twelve participants from advantaged and disadvantaged communities from Johannesburg and the greater Johannesburg area were invited to participate in this study. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic content analysis. Seven themes emerged from this study which explored mothers’ experiences of attachment with their ASD child. In addition, similarities and differences were found in mothers experiences of attachment across the diverse socio-economic groups.