Sociology

Qualitative research

Autism

Social science

Psychotherapist

Interpretative phenomenological analysis

Developmental psychology

Psychology

Autism spectrum disorder

Thematic analysis

Lived experience

Issues in educational research

The number of families choosing to home educate their children with disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), has increased in Australia in recent years, however our knowledge about parent’s experience of implementing such programmes is limited. This qualitative study was designed to explore mothers’ perspectives of home educating a child with ASD. Ten mothers were interviewed using a qualitative research design within a phenomenological framework. A thematic content analysis identified three main themes; ‘school experience’, ‘coming home’ and ‘mother’s experience as educator’. Mothers commented that educating their child at home lead to improvements in their child’s behavioural and psychological wellbeing. The experience of home educating was influenced by the children’s school experiences, parents’ perceived choice to home educate and level of educative and social support available. This study has implications for parents, educators and health care professionals regarding the psychological and educational needs of children with ASD.

The experiences of mothers home educating their children with autism spectrum disorder