The Multiple and Intersecting Layers of Experiences of Black African immigrant Families Living with an Autistic Child in the UK

The specific experiences and challenges faced by immigrant families of children with autism are not fully understood. The purpose of this study is to investigate the experiences of black-African immigrant families who live in the UK and have an autistic child in the family.

This qualitative study uses interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the lived experiences of participants. 37 individuals in 20 families, including fathers, mothers, and neurotypical siblings were interviewed, and the data analysed. The findings suggest that, as well as the common experiences and challenges faced by all families of autistic children in the UK, families who participated in this study also faced additional challenges. The combination of the common problems and their varied and specific issues which converged to produce multiple layers of autism experiences arise from their multiple identities. Drawing on the intersectionality theory, the study shows how these identities interact to amplify their experiences of racism and racialisation, discriminations, oppression, rejection, stigmatisation, the subjugation of mothers/women, threats to African masculinity and ideal, and the threat to kinship and lineage continuation. Religion and spirituality are deployed as important sources for coping and resilience.

This study answers the questions regarding the specific experiences and challenges faced by this research group. Additionally, it makes recommendations for further studies in this area, and for changes to professional practices and policy developments.