Centering autism within the family: a qualitative approach to autism and the family

The lived experience of parents of children with autism living in a rural area was explored through a phenomenological approach. Twenty-eight parents from multiple rural communities participated in semi-structured interviews. Van Manen's (1990) selective highlighting approach was used to isolate thematic statements of the experience. Findings revealed that autism became centered within the family thereby affecting how parents parented. Parenting now included: (a) multiple roles; (b) an intense focus on their child's needs; and (c) finding a balance. Although parents acquired multiple roles and faced many unmet needs, parents were determined to strive for balance within the family.