Parenting autism: what supports do Australian mothers need?

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.

About the autistic author marker

Metadata sources used for this reference

OpenAlex Crossref BibTeX OpenCitations
Learn more about the sources used

Gauchan, P., Mohi, S. R., O’Reilly, N., & Quinlan, E. (2025). Parenting autism: what supports do Australian mothers need? Educational and Developmental Psychologist, 42(2), 202-211. https://doi.org/10.1080/20590776.2025.2488735

Publication date: 28 Apr 2025 Added to AutiHub: 17 Oct 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
Publisher source (DOI) OpenAlex source

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
4
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 4 (25.0%)
  1. Priya Gauchan
  2. Simone R. Mohi
  3. Nicole O’Reilly
  4. Elly Quinlan *

Abstract

Objective Compared to parents of non-autistic children, parents of autistic children experience increased stress and unique parenting challenges. Reports from parents on the types of supports they find helpful are scare. To date, no study of this type has been conducted among Australian mothers. The aim of the current study was to fill this gap.Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a community sample of nine Australian mothers of autistic children. Interview transcripts were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis to identify common themes.Results Reported supports included: connecting to other parents within the autistic community, family, professional, school and recreational support. Desired supports identified included: increased respite and access to childcare resources, increased opportunities for families to connect within the autistic community alongside increased access to recreational activities inclusive of autistic children. At a community and societal level, mothers expressed the importance of increasing awareness, advocacy and inclusion for autistic people in addition to streamlining and centralising services for families.Conclusion Identifying the supports that parents value and find most helpful is informative for families. Additionally, service providers and organisational bodies need to be informed by the voices and perspectives of parents and families when devising future initiatives.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 23 Oct 2026 07:41.

Cited references
55
With a DOI
50
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
5
2 / 55 (3.6%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
0 / 55 (0.0%)
References with detected author names
55 / 55 (100.0%)
Without detected author names
0
Without a structured title
0
Without a stable identifier
2
References with raw author names still to review
0
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
166
From DOI or external metadata
166
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
0
40 / 166 (24.1%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 126 / 166 (75.9%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
8 / 166 (4.8%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 8 / 40 (20.0%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 8 / 164 (4.9%).
  1. Michael Quinn Patton (2014). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice .
    Type: Book OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W561751346
    Crossref OpenAlex
  2. Sabitri Acharya , Kalpana Sharma (2021). Lived Experiences of Mothers Raising Children with Autism in Chitwan District, Nepal . Autism Research and Treatment, 2021, 1-12. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1155/2021/6614490 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3213051451
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  3. Ojaswita Sharma , Neha Jain , S. K. Meena (2023). Impact of Recreational and Leisure Activities on the Quality of Life of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders . Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research, 35(13), 45-52. Sciencedomain International.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.9734/jammr/2023/v35i135044 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4375862182
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  4. Susan Shur-Fen Gau , Miao-Churn Chou , Huey-Ling Chiang , Ju-Chin Lee , Ching-Ching Wong , Wen-Jiun Chou et al. (2012). Parental adjustment, marital relationship, and family function in families of children with autism . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6(1), 263-270. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2011.05.007 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1964891098
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  5. Samantha Ault , Susan M. Breitenstein , Sharon Tucker , Susan M. Havercamp , Jodi L. Ford (2021). Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Rural Areas: A Literature Review of Mental Health and Social Support . Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 61, 229-239. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2021.06.009 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3173520560
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  6. A. Dabrowska , E. Pisula (2010). Parenting stress and coping styles in mothers and fathers of pre‐school children with autism and Down syndrome . Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 54(3), 266-280. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2010.01258.x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2022320127
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  7. Nienke Peters-Scheffer , Robert Didden , Hubert Korzilius (2012). Maternal stress predicted by characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6(2), 696-706. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2011.10.003 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1969449599
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  8. Mary J. Baker-Ericzen , Lauren Brookman-Frazee , Aubyn C. Stahmer (2005). Stress Levels and Adaptability in Parents of Toddlers with and without Autism Spectrum Disorders . Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 30(4), 194-204. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.2511/rpsd.30.4.194 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2151235492
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  9. Janis Leinfuss , Erin O’Hara (2024). Facilitating Inclusion for Neurodiverse Students Using Evidence-Based Practices: A Strengths-Based Approach to Sensory Regulation . Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 17(3), 769-781. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/19411243.2024.2349306 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4396923467
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  10. Virginia Braun , Victoria Clarke (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology . Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1191/1478088706qp063oa OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1979290264
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  11. Abir K. Bekhet , Norah L. Johnson , Jaclene A. Zauszniewski (2012). Resilience in Family Members of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of the Literature . Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 33(10), 650-656. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3109/01612840.2012.671441 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2102244562
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  12. Alice S. Carter , Frances de L. Martínez‐Pedraza , Sarah A. O. Gray (2009). Stability and individual change in depressive symptoms among mothers raising young children with ASD: maternal and child correlates . Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65(12), 1270-1280. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/jclp.20634 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2052442433
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  13. Julie Lounds Taylor , Zachary E. Warren (2012). Maternal Depressive Symptoms Following Autism Spectrum Diagnosis . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(7), 1411-1418. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-011-1375-x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1979774835
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  14. Roni Berger (2015). Now I see it, now I don’t: researcher’s position and reflexivity in qualitative research . Qualitative Research, 15(2), 219-234. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1468794112468475 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2169150420
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  15. Paulyane T.M. Gomes , Leonardo H.L. Lima , Mayza K.G. Bueno , Liubiana A. Araújo , Nathan M. Souza (2015). Autism in Brazil: a systematic review of family challenges and coping strategies . Jornal de Pediatria, 91(2), 111-121. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.jped.2014.08.009 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2013830730
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  16. Jocelyn Bessette Gorlin , Cynthia Peden McAlpine , Ann Garwick , Elizabeth Wieling (2016). Severe Childhood Autism: The Family Lived Experience . Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 31(6), 580-597. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2016.09.002 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2528627850
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  17. Jacqueline Corcoran , Amber Berry , Stephanie Hill (2015). The lived experience of US parents of children with autism spectrum disorders . Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 19(4), 356-366. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1744629515577876 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2020704396
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  18. Vicki Bitsika , Christopher F. Sharpley , Ryan Bell (2013). The Buffering Effect of Resilience upon Stress, Anxiety and Depression in Parents of a Child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder . Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 25(5), 533-543. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10882-013-9333-5 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2085598864
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  19. Stephanie A. Hayes , Shelley L. Watson (2013). The Impact of Parenting Stress: A Meta-analysis of Studies Comparing the Experience of Parenting Stress in Parents of Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(3), 629-642. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-012-1604-y OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2069698478
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  20. Susan Bonis (2016). Stress and Parents of Children with Autism: A Review of Literature . Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 37(3), 153-163. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3109/01612840.2015.1116030 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2319420461
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  21. Joanne Tarver , Melanie Palmer , Sophie Webb , Stephen Scott , Vicky Slonims , Emily Simonoff et al. (2019). Child and parent outcomes following parent interventions for child emotional and behavioral problems in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis . Autism, 23(7), 1630-1644. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361319830042 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2918863645
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  22. Brian Lovell , Mark Moss , Mark A. Wetherell (2012). With a little help from my friends: Psychological, endocrine and health corollaries of social support in parental caregivers of children with autism or ADHD . Research in Developmental Disabilities, 33(2), 682-687. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2011.11.014 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2023532195
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  23. Susan A. Bonis , Kathleen J. Sawin (2016). Risks and Protective Factors for Stress Self-Management in Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Integrated Review of the Literature . Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 31(6), 567-579. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2016.08.006 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2519161538
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  24. Jessica Paynter , Michael Davies , Wendi Beamish (2018). Recognising the “forgotten man”: Fathers’ experiences in caring for a young child with autism spectrum disorder . Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 43(1), 112-124. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3109/13668250.2017.1293235 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2595298592
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  25. Cyrielle Derguy , Grégory Michel , Katia M'bailara , Solenne Roux , Manuel Bouvard (2015). Assessing needs in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder: A crucial preliminary step to target relevant issues for support programs . Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 40(2), 156-166. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3109/13668250.2015.1023707 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2027142336
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  26. K. Boshoff , D. Gibbs , R. L. Phillips , L. Wiles , L. Porter (2016). Parents' voices: ‘why and how we advocate’. A meta‐synthesis of parents' experiences of advocating for their child with autism spectrum disorder . Child: Care, Health and Development, 42(6), 784-797. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/cch.12383 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2499782818
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  27. Amanda K. Ludlow , Charlotte Skelly , Poul Rohleder (2012). Challenges faced by parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder . Journal of Health Psychology, 17(5), 702-711. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1359105311422955 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2042011817
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  28. Elliot W. Eisner , Egon G. Guba (1979). Toward a Methodology of Naturalistic Inquiry in Educational Evaluation . Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 1(2), 73. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.2307/1163902 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2044131663
    OpenAlex
  29. Timothy R. Broady , Gerard Stoyles , Corinne Morse (2017). Understanding carers’ lived experience of stigma: the voice of families with a child on the autism spectrum . Health & Social Care in the Community, 25(1), 224-233. Hindawi Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12297 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2111976053
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  30. Louisa M. T. Silva , Mark Schalock (2012). Autism Parenting Stress Index: Initial Psychometric Evidence . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(4), 566-574. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-011-1274-1 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2089474138
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  31. Jessica Gill , Pranee Liamputtong (2011). Being the Mother of a Child With Asperger's Syndrome: Women's Experiences of Stigma . Health Care for Women International, 32(8), 708-722. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2011.555830 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2161358906
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  32. Laura Cole , Yasmin Kharwa , Nomfundo Khumalo , Jennifer S. Reinke , Saira B. S. Karrim (2017). Caregivers of School-aged Children with Autism: Social Media as a Source of Support . Journal of Child and Family Studies, 26(12), 3464-3475. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10826-017-0855-9 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2752923012
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  33. Wei Wei Lai , Tian Po S Oei (2014). Coping in Parents and Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): a Review . Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1(3), 207-224. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s40489-014-0021-x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2081345451
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  34. Edith H. Luther , Daryl L. Canham , Virginia Young Cureton (2005). Coping and Social Support for Parents of Children with Autism . The Journal of School Nursing, 21(1), 40-47. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/10598405050210010901 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4240230283
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  35. John W. Creswell , Cheryl Poth (2016). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches .
    Type: Book OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2971035958
    Crossref OpenAlex
  36. Guillermo Montes , Jill S. Halterman (2007). Psychological Functioning and Coping Among Mothers of Children With Autism: A Population-Based Study . Pediatrics, 119(5), e1040-e1046. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1542/peds.2006-2819 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2104683321
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  37. Caroline Gaddy * , Hillary Crow * (2023). A Primer on Neurodiversity-Affirming Speech and Language Services for Autistic Individuals . Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 8(6), 1220-1237. American Speech Language Hearing Association.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1044/2023_persp-23-00106 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4388186826
    AutiHub · Autistic Autism Scholarship Project Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  38. Patricia A. Rao , Deborah C. Beidel (2009). The Impact of Children with High-Functioning Autism on Parental Stress, Sibling Adjustment, and Family Functioning . Behavior Modification, 33(4), 437-451. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/0145445509336427 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2144899333
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  39. Sarah Lewis (2015). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches . Health Promotion Practice, 16(4), 473-475. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1524839915580941 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2149868499
    OpenAlex
  40. JONATHAN GLAZZARD , KATY OVERALL (2012). Living with autistic spectrum disorder: parental experiences of raising a child with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) . Support for Learning, 27(1), 37-45. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9604.2011.01505.x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2155618114
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  41. Ereny Gobrial (2018). The Lived Experiences of Mothers of Children with the Autism Spectrum Disorders in Egypt . Social Sciences, 7(8), 133. MDPI AG.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3390/socsci7080133 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2886349740
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  42. Guba E. G. (1978). Toward a methodology of naturalistic inquiry in educational Evaluation. CSE monograph series in Evaluation, 8 . Toward a methodology of naturalistic inquiry in educational Evaluation. CSE monograph series in Evaluation, 8.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  43. Lauren H Hampton , Elizabeth M Rodriguez (2022). Preemptive interventions for infants and toddlers with a high likelihood for autism: A systematic review and meta-analysis . Autism, 26(6), 1364-1378. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/13623613211050433 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3207186816
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  44. Eleni Vasilopoulou , Joy Nisbet (2016). The quality of life of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 23, 36-49. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2015.11.008 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2219154285
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  45. Tahir Mehmood Khan , Khim Ooi , Yin Sin Ong , Sabrina Anne Jacob (2016). A meta-synthesis on parenting a child with autism . Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 12, 745. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s100634 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2317726872
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  46. Te Ana Pepperell , Jessica Paynter , Linda Gilmore (2018). Social support and coping strategies of parents raising a child with autism spectrum disorder . Early Child Development and Care, 188(10), 1392-1404. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/03004430.2016.1261338 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2565242811
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  47. Danny Ellis (1990). Qualitative evaluation and research methods . International Journal of Information Management, 10(4), 323. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/0268-4012(90)90041-p OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2390008750
    OpenAlex
  49. Rose E Nevill , Luc Lecavalier , Elizabeth A Stratis (2018). Meta-analysis of parent-mediated interventions for young children with autism spectrum disorder . Autism, 22(2), 84-98. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361316677838 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2550871595
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  50. Miranda A. (2019). Parenting stress in mothers of children with autism without intellectual disability . Mediation of Behavioral Problems and Coping Strategies Frontiers in Psychology, 10.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  51. Monique Seymour , Sara Allen , Rebecca Giallo , Catherine E. Wood (2022). ‘Dads kind of get forgotten’: the mental health support needs of fathers raising a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder . Journal of Family Studies, 28(4), 1199-1216. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/13229400.2020.1809491 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3080145185
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  52. Chris Papadopoulos , Annemarie Lodder , Georgina Constantinou , Gurch Randhawa (2019). Systematic Review of the Relationship Between Autism Stigma and Informal Caregiver Mental Health . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(4), 1665-1685. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3835-z OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2903958701
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  53. Michael Quinn Patton (1990). Qualitative evaluation and research methods . Qualitative evaluation and research methods.
    Type: Article OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3214833809
    Crossref OpenAlex
  54. Beth Saggers , Megan Tones , Jacqueline Dunne , David Trembath , Susan Bruck , Amanda A. Webster et al. (2019). Promoting a Collective Voice from Parents, Educators and Allied Health Professionals on the Educational Needs of Students on the Autism Spectrum . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(9), 3845-3865. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04097-8 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2956151800
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  55. Danika Pfeiffer , Calliope Holingue , Emily Dillon , Luke Kalb , Rachel Reetzke , Rebecca Landa (2021). Parental concerns of children with ASD by age: A qualitative analysis . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 86, 101817. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101817 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3166957900
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations