Listening to the screaming whisper: a voice of mother caregivers of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)

ABSTRACT

Purpose:This is a gap in knowledge related to leisure behaviours among mothers who have children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). This study intended to understand leisure behaviours associated with leisure constraints among these mother caregivers. Method: Using a series of semi- structured interviews, a total of 12 participants engaged in this study. Results: Our findings consisted of two sections: (1) leisure negotiation and (2) leisure constraints which are (a) a lack of time for themselves, (b) constant attention, and (c) difficulty in finding a helper. Conclusions: This study found that participants modified their leisure patterns as they sought to provide more recreational opportunities for their children. It suggests that participants negotiated their leisure choices and developed family adaptability related to family leisure in order to suit the desires and needs of their child with ASD.

KEYWORDS:

• Autistic disorder
• health
• leisure constraint
• mother caregivers

Disclosure statement

There is no conflict of interest in this study.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kiboum Kim

Kiboum Kim is an Assistant Professor in Therapeutic Recreation at Winston-Salem State University. He earned a doctor of philosophy at the University of Utah in 2009. Over his academic carrier, he has pursued the understanding of phenomena related to health and human behavior associated with the use of leisure, prevention of disability and chronic illness, and the factors that lead one to a higher level of life quality.

Junhyoung Kim

Junhyoung Kim is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at Texas State University. He teaches therapeutic recreation courses and his research focuses on investigating the value of leisure as a stress coping mechanism among diverse groups such as immigrants and individuals with disabilities.

Alison Voight

Alison Voight is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies at Indiana University. She teaches therapeutic recreation course and has an interest in understanding leisure behaviors of individuals with disabilities.

Minjoon Ji

Minjoon Ji is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sport Science at Kyungnam University in South Korea. His research focus is to examine rehabilitation and health promotion among sports athletics.