Adolescence et parentalité dans les troubles du spectre autistique : comment font face les parents ?

Abstract

The aim of the study is to shed light on the specific period of adolescence in families having a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We investigated the coping strategies used by 13 mothers having a youth with ASD, using a quantitative scale (the WCC-R), the concept of parenting being addressed by interviews. Our work shows that mothers preferentially use problem-focused coping strategies. However and paradoxically, the interviews highlight the prominence given to the support of their spouse, especially on the educational aspects but not on the emotional ones. This result highlights the difficulties of addressing the concept of “couple” in these families, facing the need to be “parents”. Finally, our study highlights the concerns of mothers face the future of their children that explain – in part – the use of concrete strategies in daily life, aiming to achieve the autonomy of young people with ASD.