Caring for A Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Metaphor Study

Area of Science:

• Qualitative research
• Phenomenology
• Linguistic analysis

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents unique challenges for families.
• Mothers' lived experiences in caring for children with ASD require deeper understanding.
• Metaphorical language offers a rich lens into subjective experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the metaphorical language mothers use when describing their experiences caring for a child with ASD.
• To provide midwives and clinicians with enhanced insights into maternal experiences with ASD.

Main Methods:

• Prospective qualitative study employing a phenomenological approach.
• Semi-structured, in-depth interviews and observations conducted with 11 participants.
• Data collected between January and May 2024 until data saturation.

Main Results:

• Ten distinct metaphors were identified from mothers' descriptions of caring for a child with ASD.
• Metaphors included: treasure, maze, boat trip, tangled knot, newly discovered planet, late bearing tree, mountaintop, new day, alien, and newly sprouted flower.
• These metaphors highlight the complexity and multifaceted nature of the maternal caregiving experience.

Conclusions:

• Maternal metaphors offer profound insights into the caregiving experience for children with ASD.
• Clinicians, particularly midwives, can utilize this understanding to improve support and communication with mothers.
• Acknowledging and interpreting these metaphors can enhance empathetic care for families navigating ASD.