Title Page
Contents
Abstract 11
List of Abbreviations 12
Definition of Terms 12
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 13
Introduction 13
1. Background of the Study 14
1) Statement of the Research Problem 16
2) Elaboration of the Research Problem 16
2. Purpose of the Study 19
3. Method and Scope of Limitation 20
1) Research limitation 20
4. History of Previous Research 21
5. Structure of the Study 24
6. Expectant Effect of the Study 25
CHAPTER 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE: AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER 26
Introduction 26
1. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? 26
1) Neurodevelopmental Disorders 28
3) Characteristics of ASD 30
4) Prevalence of ASD 33
5) Controversial Causes of ASD 34
6) Treatment 36
2. Autism and Family 39
1) Challenges of Raising a Child with ASD in the Family 39
2) ASD related Family Stressors 42
3) The Impact of ASD on Families 43
4) Coping with a Child with ASD 45
5) Parenting Issues and Coping Strategies 47
Conclusion 49
CHAPTER 3. AUTISM AND PARENTAL SELFBLAME: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS 51
Introduction 51
1. Self-Blame in Parents of Children with ASD 51
1) Social Stigma vs. Self Stigma 52
2. Research Methodology 54
1) Phenomenological Method: Focus on Lived Experience 56
2) Rationale for Phenomenological Study 57
3) Research Design and Context of study 59
4) Sampling and Participants 63
5) Data Collection Methods 64
6) Ethical Considerations 66
7) Data Analysis 68
3. The Study in Context: Understanding Autism in Nagaland 69
1) Attitudes towards ASD in the Naga Society 70
2) Research Participants: Their lived Experiences 74
3) Experiencing of Parental Self-Blame in Raising an ASD Child 85
Conclusion 86
CHAPTER 4. STUDY FINDINGS: INTERPRETATION AND IMPLICATION 88
Introduction 88
1. Overall findings 89
2. Thematic Analysis and Discussion of Themes 90
1) Theme 1: Experiences of Shame and Guilt 90
2) Theme 2: Experiences of Distress and Feelings of Regret 90
3) Theme 3: Experiences of Embarrassment and Self-Isolation 91
4) Theme 4: Realizing the Importance of Acceptance and Early Intervention 92
3. Towards a Christian Counseling Approach 92
1) Autism from the Biblical Perspective 93
2) Counseling the Parents of Children with ASD 94
3) The Role of the Church towards the Families of ASD 96
4. Reflections and Implications 99
5. Recommendations for Future Research 100
Summary and Conclusion 102
Bibliography 105
Appendices 119
Appendix A. Participation Consent form 119
Appendix B. [제목없음] 120
Korean Abstract (초록) 121