Neglect and Abuse in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Parents' Perspectives and Experiences

Abstract

This qualitative study aims to investigate in depth the experiences of parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder concerning child abuse and neglect. As part of the study, risk and protective factors associated with child abuse and neglect within participants' parenting experiences were identified, and their needs in this area were addressed. The research followed a phenomenological approach, and individual interviews were conducted with 9 parents between June and October 2024. Participants' ages ranged from 28 to 46, with eight being female and one male. The children’s ages ranged from 3 to 12, with the majority (67%) presenting no additional diagnoses beyond autism. Data collected from the parents were thematically analyzed, resulting in five main themes and 18 sub-themes. The themes emerging from the research are as follows: 1. The child’s risk status in terms of abuse and neglect, 2. Systemic deficiencies, 3. Parental challenges as a risk factor, 4. Preventive measures against abuse and neglect, and 5. Supportive factors. The findings were discussed and interpreted in relation to the existing literature. Based on the findings, recommendations include increasing state support for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), monitoring special education institutions, enhancing ASD awareness, and providing family training sessions to inform parents about their legal rights and relevant regulations.

Keywords

• Child abuse and neglect
• autism spectrum disorder
• autism
• parenting
• family

Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu Olan Çocuklarda İhmal ve İstismar: Ebeveynlerin Görüş ve Deneyimleri

Abstract

Bu çalışma, otizm spektrum bozukluğu tanısı almış çocukların ebeveynlerinin çocuk istismarı ve ihmaline ilişkin yaşantılarını derinlemesine incelemeyi amaçlayan nitel desende bir çalışmadır. Çalışma kapsamında katılımcıların ebeveynlik deneyimlerinde karşılaştıkları çocuk istismarı ve ihmaline yönelik risk faktörleri ve koruyucu faktörler belirlenmeye çalışılmış ve bu konudaki ihtiyaçları anlaşılmaya çalışılmıştır. Araştırma, fenomenolojik yaklaşıma dayalı olarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma kapsamında 9 ebeveyn ile 2024 Haziran-Ekim ayları arasında bireysel görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Katılımcıların yaşları 28 ile 46 arasında değişmekte olup, 8'i (%89) kadın, 1'i (%11) ise erkektir. Çocukların yaşları ise 3-12 aralığında değişiklik göstermekte ve çoğunluğunda (%67) otizm dışında ek bir tanı bulunmamaktadır. Ebeveynlerden toplanan veriler tematik analizle incelenerek 5 temaya ve 18 alt temaya ulaşılmıştır. Araştırmada ortaya çıkan temalar şu şekildedir: 1. Çocuğun istismar ve ihmal açısından risk grubunda yer alması, 2. Sistemsel eksiklikler, 3. Risk faktörü olarak ebeveynin yaşadığı zorlanmalar, 4. İstismar ve ihmale karşı alınan önlemler, 5. Destekleyici faktörler. Çalışmanın bulguları, ilgili literatür ışığında tartışılarak açıklanmaya çalışılmıştır. Bulgular doğrultusunda, otizm spektrum bozukluğu (OSB) tanısı olan çocuklara yönelik devlet eğitim desteğinin arttırılması, özel eğitim kurumlarının denetlenmesi, OSB’nin daha fazla tanıtılması ve ebeveynlere yasal haklar ve yönetmelikler konusunda aile eğitimleri yoluyla bilgi verilmesi önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• Çocuk istismarı ve ihmali
• otizm
• otizm spektrum bozukluğu
• ebeveynlik
• aile

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