Alice Running: Neuroaffirming Autism Specialist
Writer_Author
Parental Blame and the PDA Profile of Autism
Alice Running : Danielle Jata-Hall
Parents and carers of autistic-PDA children can find themselves blamed for their children's disability presentations by professionals working with their families. Historically, this issue has been self-reported by individually affected families via parent-carer support groups and forums.
In 2022, a survey was conducted to ascertain the collective views of parent-carers of autistic-PDA children, with a view to understanding:
* how prevalent professional blame towards parent-carers of autistic-PDA children is,
* emerging patterns regarding susceptibility of parent-carers to being blamed,
* how being blamed for their children's disability presentation feels for parent-carers,
* the impact of blame upon the family unit.
The subsequent report, 'Parental Blame and the PDA Profile of Autism', presents data from 1016 parent-carer respondents:
* 87.8% of parent-carer respondents said they had felt blamed for some aspect of their autistic-PDA child's presentation or "lack of progress".
* 111 families (10.93% of respondents) had been subjected to some element of formal safeguarding procedures which cited the parent-carer at fault for the child's autistic presentation.
* Of these 111 families subjected to formal safeguarding procedures, 57.66% were headed by a lone mother and 76.57% were headed by a neurodivergent parent. 68.46% of these families had a child with an accepted (NHS) diagnosis of autism.
Returned qualitative data demonstrates the devastating impact being exposed to blame can have on parent-carer well-being, family function and access to disability support.
Research conclusions include:
* In situations where parent-carers are blamed for their autistic-PDA child's presentation, it is the child that ultimately suffers.
* Systems of support for autistic-PDA children can create mental health issues for the navigating parent-carer.
* Certain types of parent-carers are more susceptible to the most extreme form of parental blame - safeguarding. Survey findings show that safeguarding procedures are most prevalent amongst families headed by either a lone mother and/or neurodivergent parent (s).
* Neurodivergent parents are understandably fearful of disclosing their neurotype to supporting professionals.
* There is a need for more autism / PDA informed professionals.
For more information: www.challengeblame.com
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