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Experiences of Parental Advocacy in Autism. Irene Carter, University of Windsor, School of Social Work, Windsor, Ontario, Canada N9B3P4

This study explores the positive and negative outcomes of twenty-two advocates in self-help groups for autism. Primary advocacy goals included access to behavioral interventions and other services for children with autism. Parental advocates personally gained increased knowledge of interventions and rights and legislation; increased self-esteem, empowerment, hope, appreciation of the care-giving role; and increased knowledge of creative and flexible self-help group strategies in advocacy. The negative experiences included increased stress and disappointments in outcomes associated with efforts to secure increased services. The negative experiences clarified the overwhelming obstacles to change and demonstrated the courage required to confront current social policy. Parental advocates experienced advocacy as vigilantly protecting and supporting vulnerable children, as being ambivalent about membership, as challenging social policy, as recognizing oppression, as risking disempowerment, and as searching for collaborative strategies. Insights by parental advocates indicated the need to train social workers to understand disability and the rights...

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