10 - Perceptions about Autism in Hispanic Immigrant Mothers of Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Summary

This study focuses on how Hispanic immigrant mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) understand ASD and language development, obtain services for their children, engage in interventions, and perceive bilingualism for their child. The author collected data through interviews with the mothers. The main themes expressed by the mothers were: 1) stigmatization and lack of awareness about ASD, 2) preconceptions about developmental milestones and ASD, and 3) reluctance to use Spanish with their children with ASD. Because the mothers’ perceptions were combined with a lack of awareness about ASD, many waited before obtaining a diagnosis and interventions. In addition, contrary to recommendations based on best practices, most mothers were advised by speech-language pathologists and teachers to only use English and to avoid using Spanish with their children. Such advice resulted in a reduction of verbal interactions between parents and their children at home. This study also considered how families with unauthorized legal residence in the US suffered additional stress because of family separation from other children, deportation of one parent in three families, and poor living conditions that impacted on their child’s development.