In this master's thesis, we explored the experience of family dynamics from the perspective of mothers of adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The theoretical part is divided into two sections. In the first section, we focused on defining the characteristics of ASD, including gender differences in its manifestation, followed by a description of how the disorder evolves during adolescence and the specific challenges faced by adolescents with ASD. The second section addressed family functioning in the context of having an adolescent with ASD, family subsystems, and the challenges families face, along with coping strategies for managing stress. The empirical part of the study included 10 mothers of adolescents with ASD, aged between 13 and 22. Using thematic analysis based on qualitative data collected through interviews, we gained insight into family dynamics and the challenges these families encounter during this developmental stage. The analysis of the main theme, focused on how mothers perceive family dynamics, highlighted the diversity of their experiences. Findings show that most families have successfully adapted to the adolescent's specific needs and developed effective strategies for managing parenting challenges. However, mothers are often placed in the role of coordinators of their child's life, which may lead to feelings of overload, especially in the absence of adequate support. Both positive and negative aspects of family relationships were highlighted – from feelings of connection and satisfaction during shared activities to conflictual and tense situations. Additional burdens for parents include concern for the future, general public unawareness, lack of professional knowledge in the education and healthcare systems, and institutional unresponsiveness. The findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the maternal role in families with adolescents with ASD and highlight the need for greater support for families during this developmental period. The results may also be useful for professionals working with adolescents with ASD and their families.
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