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

Objective: It aims to explore the language used by women about their experiences of caring for their child with autism spectrum disorder through metaphor, and to provide a valuable source of insight for midwives and other clinicians. Methodology: The study was a prospective qualitative study with a...

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Publicado en:Maternal & Child Health Journal Vol. 29; no. 7; pp. 892 - 900
Autores principales: Uncu, Betul, Gokcek, Ayse Irem, Aras, Nehir
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Springer Nature Jul2025
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jul2025
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        10.1007/s10995-025-04114-6
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        atl: Caring for A Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Metaphor Study.
      aug:
        au:
          Uncu, Betul
          Gokcek, Ayse Irem
          Aras, Nehir
        affil: https://ror.org/01dzn5f42 Department of Midwifery, Health Sciences Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Türkiye
      sug:
        subj:
          Maternal Attitudes Evaluation
          Caregiver Attitudes Evaluation
          Parents of Children with Disabilities
          Autism Spectrum Disorder
          Metaphor
          Human
          Prospective Studies
          Qualitative Studies
          Phenomenological Research
          Purposive Sample
          Semi-Structured Interview
          Interviews
          Videorecording
          Thematic Analysis
          Learning
          Uncertainty
          Patience
          Caregiver Burden
          Coping
          Midwifery
          Nurses
          Mental Health Personnel
          Perinatal Care
          Information Resources
          Infant
          Child, Preschool
          Adult
          Male
          Female
          Turkiye
          Infant: 1-23 months
          Child, Preschool: 2-5 years
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Objective: It aims to explore the language used by women about their experiences of caring for their child with autism spectrum disorder through metaphor, and to provide a valuable source of insight for midwives and other clinicians. Methodology: The study was a prospective qualitative study with a phenomenological approach based on semi-structured, individual and in-depth interviews and observations of the participants. Data saturation was achieved after 11 participants were interviewed. Data were collected in a private clinic between January and May 2024. Results: This metaphor analysis revealed ten metaphors that mothers used to describe their experience of caring for their child with an autistic spectrum disorder. These metaphors were described as a treasure, a maze, a boat trip, a tangled knot, a newly discovered planet, a late bearing tree, a mountaintop, a new day, an alien and a newly sprouted flower. Conclusions: In conclusion, paying attention to the metaphors that women with children on the autistic spectrum use to describe their caring situation can provide midwives and other clinicians with rich insights into understanding women. Significance: Caring for a child with autism spectrum disorder is challenging in many ways. Providing special care for children diagnosed with autism and their mothers, especially in the 0–6 age range, is crucial. In this process, midwives are among the first healthcare professionals to monitor the health and development needs of children and their families. Midwives need to increase their awareness of autism and learn specialized care approaches. This is important for supporting families and meeting the needs of the children. Education and sensitivity in this area can improve the quality of life for families.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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