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Full-Text Articles in Education

Fathers’ Orientation To Their Children’S Autism Diagnosis: A Grounded Theory Study, Michael Hannon, La Chan V. Hannon Jul 2017

Fathers’ Orientation To Their Children’S Autism Diagnosis: A Grounded Theory Study, Michael Hannon, La Chan V. Hannon

Department of Counseling Scholarship and Creative Works

Sixteen fathers of individuals with autism were interviewed to develop a grounded theory explaining how they learned about their children’s autism diagnosis. Results suggest the orientation process entails at least two phases: orienting oneself and orienting others. The orienting oneself phase entailed fathers having suspicion of developmental differences, engaging in research and education activities, having their children formally evaluated; inquiring about their children’s prognosis, and having curiosities about autism’s etiology. The orienting others phase entailed orientating family members and orienting members of their broader communities. Recommendations for responsive service provision, support for fathers, and future research are offered.


Black And Latino Fathers Of Students With Autism: Culturally Responsive Support, Michael D. Hannon, Kaprea F. Johnson, Nicole A. Christian, Lachan V. Hannon Jan 2017

Black And Latino Fathers Of Students With Autism: Culturally Responsive Support, Michael D. Hannon, Kaprea F. Johnson, Nicole A. Christian, Lachan V. Hannon

Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications

Perspectives from five Black and Latino fathers of students with autism are shared from this qualitative pilot study. The fathers were asked to describe the most helpful forms of support from school counselors. One-time, semi-structured interviews were conducted and interpreted with the thematic analysis method. Results suggest support from other parents, and specifically from other fathers, with shared experiences is most helpful. Recommendations for school counseling practice and research are shared.