Date
12-19-2024
Department
School of Education
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD)
Chair
Ellen Ziegler
Keywords
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Timely Diagnosis, Disparities, Black Parents, Accessing Services
Disciplines
Education
Recommended Citation
Sellers, Bridgette Carolyn, "Experiences of Black Parents of Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder in Obtaining a Timely Diagnosis and Accessing Services: A Phenomenological Study" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6396.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6396
Abstract
The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences and perceptions of Black parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in obtaining a timely diagnosis and accessing services in Texas. Dr. Murray Bowen’s family systems theory was the guiding theory used to provide relevant details to the internal stigma in the Black community which is directly correlated to the disparities surrounding a timely diagnosis and accessing services. The central research question for this study was: what are the reported experiences of Black parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder in obtaining a timely diagnosis and accessing services? This transcendental phenomenological study allowed the researcher an opportunity to understand and explore the lived experiences and perceptions of Black families obtaining a diagnosis and access to services for their child with autism through the use of physical artifacts, individual interviews, and focus groups. Implications of the findings suggest examining challenges of medical mistrust and lack of awareness of autism spectrum disorder in the Black community. Data collected through physical artifacts, interviews, and focus groups revealed four themes: (a) parents as advocates, (b) support systems, (c) service accessibility, and (d) overcoming obstacles and challenges. The study findings, implications for policy and practice, and recommendations for future research are discussed.
