The Experiences of Fathers Who Have Offspring with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Eight self-selected fathers were interviewed, and the authors state that the sample was not representative and cannot describe all fathers with autistic children. All participants had an undergraduate degree or higher, all were White British except one who was White Other, six were employed full time, one was self-employed and one was retired, and all children with ASD were male except one. Each father had only one interview, so changes over time were reconstructed from memory rather than followed longitudinally. Recruitment through autism support charities may have selected fathers already aware of services; twelve fathers who made contact did not participate and gave no reason. The sample underrepresented fathers of daughters and had few young children, so fathers with daughters or younger children may have different experiences. The study is qualitative and does not test interventions or outcomes, so it cannot say that any support model works.

Do not read these themes as evidence that all fathers of children with ASD experience autism this way, or as proof that support groups, acceptance and commitment therapy or service changes improve outcomes. The study interviewed a small self-selected group of fathers and reports their experiences rather than tested effects.