Walk a mile in my shoes: Life as a mother of a child with Asperger's Syndrome

Abstract

In this study, we explore the experiences of mothers with children who have Asperger's Syndrome. A qualitative inquiry was adopted in our study. Fifteen women participated in in-depth interviews, six of whom produced a solicited diary that offered a more in-depth insight into their lives. Thematic analysis was used to examine themes from the transcripts and diary entries. A number of themes emerged from the interview and diary data. First, the women articulated their perceptions of motherhood which included perceptions of an ideal mother, the mother role, the physical and emotional health of mothers and the mask of motherhood. Second, the data revealed the moral career of motherhood which discussed mother blame as a main issue. The findings of this study have implications for health and social care provided to women who are mothers of children with Asperger's Syndrome.