Resilient narratives of a single mother raising a child with autism spectrum disorder: A neurodiversity perspective

Background: Research on experiences of mothers with children living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has predominantly focused on psychological distress and caregiving burdens, presenting deficit-centred narratives which inadequately capture other complex narratives of single mothers. Objectives: This study explored the experiences of a South African single mother, Buhle, in raising a daughter with ASD, focusing on resilience development and acceptance within cultural contexts where ASD and her social status are misunderstood. The study adopts neurodiversity theory and the concept of resilience as its conceptual framework. Method: Employing an interpretivism paradigm and a single case study research design, data were collected through semi-structured and unstructured interviews. Ethics approval was obtained from the University of Johannesburg. Buhle provided informed consent, allowing her information to be used for research. Results: Narrative analysis was used to delve deeply into Buhle’s personal and emotional experiences. These narrative themes emerged: navigating the initial trauma of prognosis and diagnosis, building a network of understanding, managing resources without shared responsibilities and transforming challenges to empowerment through social networking, education and advocacy. Conclusion: The findings challenge deficit narratives by revealing how some single mothers can foster resilience despite significant challenges in raising neurodivergent children in an African cultural context. The South African government’s provision of social and economic support also partly enables resilience. Contribution: Community-based initiatives should boost public awareness and alleviate the cultural stigma surrounding neurodevelopmental conditions; prioritise resilience, strategy sharing, and advocacy to empower single mothers from survival to empowerment. Public healthcare support services must be improved.