Autistic parents' views and experiences of talking about autism with their autistic children.
Laura Crane, Lok Man Lui, Jade Davies and 1 others
PMID 33397133WHAT IT FOUND
Autistic parents described talking about autism as ongoing, child-led, and often light-hearted, using their own lived experience to explain diagnosis positively and adapt language to each child.
These are parents' accounts, not tested outcomes.
Key findings
01Parents described disclosure as early and child-led.
02Most parents had disclosed the child's diagnosis, and no parent reported using person-first language.
03The analysis produced four themes: everyday open discussions, shared understanding, positive framing, and tailored discussions.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was small and self-selected from online social media, autistic organisations, and parent support groups. The parents were mostly female and from white ethnic backgrounds, so the accounts may not represent autistic parents more broadly. Recruitment through autistic organisations may have included parents already comfortable with autism and positive family discussions. The study reports parents' experiences, not children's outcomes. The survey did not determine whether other family members were autistic or whether the parent-child relationship was biological, fostered, or adoptive.
Declared interests
The paper states that research at the Centre for Research in Autism and Education is funded by the Pears Foundation.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that early, positive disclosure improves children's communication or mental health. The study reports the experiences of 34 autistic parents, not children's outcomes, and the sample was self-selected and mostly white, female, and recruited through autistic organisations.