Abstract:
This study aimed to determine the coping mechanisms of fathers with
autistic children and its effect on their role to their autistic child. Ten
(10) fathers with autistic children were interviewed, five of which
were members of Autism Society Philippines. The study showed that
fathers were emotionally distressed upon learning of their child’s
disability. To cope, fathers employed a variety of coping mechanisms.
The most common of which was cognitive coping, wherein fathers
sought the help of professionals (therapist, doctor, psychologist,
psychiatrist, and special schools), read books on autism, and planned
a program for their child. Another significant finding of the study was
that the role of fathers to their autistic child was more on the social
aspect. The most common of which was fetching the child to and from
school or therapy. On the other hand, the fathers responded that the
best role of a father to his autistic child was the affective role. The
most common of which was to assure the autistic child that he was
loved and accepted. The main determinant of the involvement of the
father to his autistic child was how the father coped and accepted the
disability of his child. Once these happened, he will be able to
shoulder the responsibilities that came with having an autistic child
