Dr. Stephen Gentles, a postdoctoral fellow with both MacART and Autism Ontario, researches the social psychological needs and responses of parents of children with autism as they navigate intervention. His recently-published paper, “Coming to understand the child has autism: A process illustrating parents’ evolving readiness for engaging in care” discusses parents’ perspectives navigating and becoming engaged in autism-related care — specifically at the early stage of coming to understand their child has autism.
Importantly, parents vary in their readiness for involvement in care! This academic article is available to read for free here. The article is also complemented by a blog – available here – that summarizes the research in a briefer and more accessible way.