Adolescentes autistas e suas famílias: o desafio do cuidar

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the accounts of the families of adolescents with autism regarding their daily experiences linked to educational life and family routines. We searched through authors such as Cunha (2012), Silva (2012), Cunha (2014), Camacho (2003), among others, who allowed us to better understand the issues related to the socialization of autistic adolescents and the relationship between families in the act of caring and the need to be cared for. We therefore looked to the phenomenological approach as the method that allowed us to interpret each subject involved in the research, based on the studies carried out. We also believe that the case study was necessary because of the possibility of broadening our knowledge of the subject, offering support for further research into autism in adolescence. Based on the analysis of the data, it was concluded that the strategies created by family members and the support of autism centers have helped to improve the quality of life of caregivers, giving them access to the therapies and care that adolescents with ASD need. During the research, it was clear to see some of the difficulties in the process of including adolescents with autism in school and society, as well as their families, reaffirming the importance of understanding the particularities and experiences of adolescents and their care at home, as well as the parent/child and family/school relationship, understand their development process in a way that meets the needs and peculiarities of adolescence and autism.