AB072. Listening beyond words: a phenomenological study on parenting a child with autism
Abstract

AB072. Listening beyond words: a phenomenological study on parenting a child with autism

Julienne A. Formeloza, Allysa Mae U. Higoy, Quennie Lyn H. Albay, Arjay C. Gallardo, Rajen Lex G. Insigne, Angelika C. Junio, Shye Leigh F. Lising, Shanley Mae I. Soriano, Grace Angela M. Taboy, Gabrielle Michaela M. Trinidad

College of Nursing, University of the Cordilleras, Baguio, Philippines

Background: Parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) brings emotional, financial, and social challenges. Caregivers face overwhelming responsibilities, limited resources, and persistent stigma. Despite growing awareness, support systems remain inadequate, leaving families with minimal help. Understanding their lived experiences is essential for shaping effective support systems and policies. The objective of this article is to explore the lived experiences of parents caring for children with ASD to inform the development of supportive interventions and policies.

Methods: This qualitative phenomenological study explored the experiences of 11 parents of children aged 3 to 15 years with a formal ASD diagnosis. Participants were selected using purposive snowball sampling. Exclusion criteria included non-parental caregivers, lack of diagnosis, or conditions affecting participation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in person or online, based on preference. Thematic analysis identified recurring patterns while maintaining ethical standards and confidentiality.

Results: Seven core themes emerged: “Unveiling Autism Realities” captured the initial shock and grief; “A Heart that Knows No Bound” reflected emotional strain and deep love; “The Price of Unconditional Love” highlighted financial and caregiving burdens; “Strength in Solitude” revealed isolation due to limited support; “A Spark in the Shadows” emphasized faith as a coping tool; “Nurturing the Spectrum” involved creative parenting and sacrifice; and “A Journey of Small Victories” showcased resilience through progress. These themes reveal both struggles and adaptive strengths.

Conclusions: The study highlights the urgent need for accessible support, affordable care, financial aid, inclusive education, and increased public awareness. Strengthening support networks and government programs is vital. Further research should explore long-term impacts and assess existing services. Collaboration among families, professionals, and policymakers is key to improving outcomes for those affected by ASD.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD); coping strategies; parental experiences

Footnote

Conflicts of Interest: All authors received provided financial support for conference registration and travel expenses related to the presentation of this manuscript from University of the Cordilleras. The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare.

Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the noncommercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

doi: 10.21037/jphe-26-ab072
Cite this abstract as: Formeloza JA, Higoy AMU, Albay QLH, Gallardo AC, Insigne RLG, Junio AC, Lising SLF, Soriano SMI, Taboy GAM, Trinidad GMM. AB072. Listening beyond words: a phenomenological study on parenting a child with autism. J Public Health Emerg 2026;10:AB072.

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