Atypical Parents with Autism Spectrum Disorder Maria Fernanda Toffoli Castilho, Lucy de Souza Faccioli, Ana Paula Borgomoni, Patricia Gorish

Abstract

 In this study, the central objective is to analyze how the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children affects the health of parents who present atypical characteristics. Unlike much research that traditionally focuses on the well-being of mothers, this research is dedicated to examining the impact of this diagnosis on fathers who also have distinct characteristics and who play a significant role in the care and monitoring of their children with ASD. To achieve this objective, we conducted a comprehensive research that included reviewing existing studies in the area and analyzing data from questionnaires and interviews conducted with parents of children diagnosed with ASD. The results of this research revealed that parental atypicality, often expressed as resistance to the diagnosis of ASD, has a specific impact on their health. Furthermore, we identified significant differences between mothers and fathers regarding the health effects of caring for children with ASD. Ultimately, our findings emphasize the importance of considering the health of parents with atypical characteristics as a fundamental component in intervention strategies and support programs aimed at contexts involving ASD. These findings contribute to filling a gap in the existing literature and point to promising areas of future investigation related to the health of parents of children with ASD.