Understanding the Experiences of Korean American Fathers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 32
  In Roundtable Session: Partnering to Support Children With Disabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the essence of the shared experiences of Korean American (KA) fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Six KA fathers who have a child with ASD participated in individual interviews which were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Five main themes emerged in alignment with the family systems theory (Turnbull, Turnbull, Erwin, Soodak, & Shogren, 2015): (1) impact of culture, ASD, and other family characteristics on the fathers’ experiences; (2) development of life management skills; (3) high adaptability and cohesion centered around the parental subsystem; (4) financial and psychological burdens; and (5) fathers’ participation in education and desires for the future. Implications for family-school partnerships and culturally relevant practices are discussed.

Authors

• Veronica Youn Kang, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Sunyoung Kim, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Michael K. Thomas, University of Illinois at Chicago