Challenges faced by mothers of children with autism and coping strategies: A phenomenological approach

Caring for a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents profound and multidimensional challenges that extend beyond the individual child to affect the entire family system, particularly mothers who serve as primary caregivers. Recognizing the limited local research exploring these lived experiences in rural Philippine settings, this study sought to understand the challenges faced and coping mechanisms employed by mothers of children with ASD. A descriptive phenomenological design was utilized to capture the lived realities of eight purposively selected mothers from the province of Apayao, Philippines. Data were gathered over two months through semi-structured interviews and online questionnaires, then analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phase thematic analysis framework. Findings revealed that nearly all mothers experienced intertwined behavioral, emotional, and structural challenges, including persistent communication difficulties, emotional fatigue, and financial strain. Despite these adversities, participants exhibited resilience through faith-based coping, strong family and community support, adaptive caregiving routines, and self-care practices. These results, underscores that maternal adaptation is shaped by both individual agency and sociocultural context. These insights highlight the need for holistic, multi-level interventions that integrate psychosocial, faith-based, and community support systems to strengthen maternal well-being and improve developmental outcomes for children with ASD. Future research should explore broader family dynamics and policy support mechanisms to enhance inclusive care for families affected by autism.