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.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/12606 |
| Date | 27 March 2013 |
| Creators | Dawson, Nicola |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf, application/pdf |
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