ПРИФAЌАЊЕ НА ДИЈАГНОЗАТА ОД СТРАНА НА РОДИТЕЛИТЕ НА ДЕЦА СО НАРУШУВАЊЕ ОД АУТИСТИЧЕН СПЕКТАР

Abstract

One of the biggest challenges for parents of a child with a diagnosed autism spectrum
disorder (ASD) is the acceptance of the diagnosis. Parents reactions are essential because
they allow them time to process their own emotions, and the timely initiation of early
intervention and its outcomes will depend on this.
The aim is to perceive the way parents deal with the child’s condition, that is, their
emotional and cognitive acceptance or non-acceptance of it, as well as whether there are
differences in the acceptance of the diagnosis between mothers and fathers.
The sample is composed of parents of 34 children diagnosed with ASD. Reaction to
Diagnosis Interview ( Pianta & Marvin, 1992) was used in the research.
The results show that the diagnosis of ASD in the child was accepted by half of the
examined mothers. Most of them are thinking-oriented, that is, they used cognitive strategies
that helped them accept the diagnosis. As for the fathers, 38.5% accepted the diagnosis.
Most of them are oriented towards feelings. Those fathers who do not accept the
diagnosis, are mostly emotionally overwhelmed.
There is a difference in acceptance of the diagnosis and in the use of strategies between
mothers and fathers. It is of great importance that professionals recognize the way
parents cope with all challenges related to the child’s diagnosis and provide them with appropriate
support in time. Non-acceptance of the diagnosis by the parents is a risk factor
for family adaptation and for the implementation of early intervention.