Perceptions of school by two teenage boys with Asperger syndrome and their mothers: a qualitative study.
This qualitative study aimed to develop an understanding of the challenges faced by teenage boys with Asperger syndrome and their mothers. A case study approach was used to collect data from two 13-year-old boys who have Asperger syndrome and their mothers in Queensland, Australia. Data were collected through the use of semistructured interviews. The words of the boys and their mothers provide a valuable insight into the personal experiences and feelings of the participants. An inductive approach to data analysis identified four themes: (1) developmental differences; (2) problems associated with the general characteristics of Asperger syndrome (i.e. communication and social difficulties, restricted range of interests, a need for routine); (3) stress; and (4) 'masquerading'. The first three themes relate strongly to the current literature, but the emergence of masquerading is of particular interest in developing a fuller understanding of the experiences of individuals with Asperger syndrome at school.
Carrington
S
S
School of Learning and Development, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. sx.carrington@qut.edu.au
Graham
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D001076:Aptitude; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001290:Attitude; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004519:Education, Special; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011793:Queensland; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012931:Social Environment; D012938:Social Perception