Emotional Experience of Families With an Immigrant Background Throughout the Autism Service Trajectory in Early Childhood

Abstract

The way through first suspicion of developmental delays to the time a diagnosis of autism is confirmed can be a long and emotional road. Additional challenges are faced by families with an immigrant background who must learn to navigate an unfamiliar health and social service care system. The current study aims to document the variability of emotional experiences reported by parents with an immigrant background through the autism service trajectory, from the first suspicions of a developmental delay to school entry. Eighteen families participated in two semistructured interviews regarding their autism service trajectory. By using an inductive qualitative content analysis, findings revealed specific contexts in which strong emotional experiences were expressed and made it possible to identify targets for intervention at key moments to support parental psychological well-being.