Narrativas maternas sobre o diagnóstico de autismo: caminhos e impactos

Abstract

A diagnosis of autism diagnosis can bring many changes to a mother’s life, each in its own way. This study aimed to investigate the experience of motherhood during the search for autism diagnosis and the feelings and paths followed after receiving the diagnosis. For this, semi-open individual interviews were conducted with ten mothers of children diagnosed with autism aged between 3 and 11 years. These participants were contacted through a Non-Governmental Organization of a city in the state of Minas Gerais that works with family members and children diagnosed with autism. Data analysis were performed using the content analysis technique, in the thematic modality. Three thematic axes were established: the first “The stones, with subthemes: “What now, José?”, “In the middle of the road”, and “Forever – SUStaining the mother’s place”. The second axis “Route” and the third axis “Particular Infinity” with the subthemes: “Desire”, “Maternity” and “(In)Dependence or Death”. There were some points of prominence in common with other studies in the literature as the moment that women leave in search of help, the first contact with the diagnosis, the search for medical care, the path that asks them about the future and the different impressions of motherhood, which varied between grief and fight, between giving everything of them to the child, but trying not to forget yourself. It is expected, from this word, that reflections on the women’s listening space extend, valuing female protagonism and maternal experiences.