Explaining parents’ experiences of raising children with autism spectrum disorders in Lesotho

Research on parents’ experiences of raising a child with autism spectrum disorders reveals that it is a task filled with opportunities and challenges. However, research in non-Western countries on this syndrome is limited. So this exploratory qualitative case study was conducted to recount the lived experiences of Basotho parents on raising a child with ASD. The study used purposive and snowball techniques to recruit participants and used semi-structured interviews to generate data from six participants: five females and one male. Data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The study yielded three challenges namely, poor diagnostic and healthcare support services, lack of educational assessment and support services, and parents’ susceptibility to psychosocial distress. The findings highlight the significance of disability data coordination between the Ministries of Health, Social Development, and Education to provide comprehensive autism services for children with ASD. A national study on autism spectrum disorders is needed to inform policy and practice in Lesotho. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.