Raising Autistic Children in Mainland China: A Qualitative Study of Parental Experiences and Challenges.
Chinese parents of autistic kids feel buried by care and cultural stigma—wrap services around the whole family, not just the child.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Yongshen and team talked with parents across mainland China. They asked how raising an autistic child feels day to day.
The parents shared stories about lost sleep, money worries, and feeling judged by neighbors.
What they found
Parents said their own quality of life is low. They fear for the child’s future and feel alone.
They also see that their own actions shape the child’s progress, so guilt piles on top of stress.
How this fits with other research
Sun et al. (2013) already showed that autism services in China are scarce and costly. The new study gives those numbers a human voice.
Trew (2025) interviewed Shanghai mothers the same year and found post-traumatic growth—hope and new purpose. The two papers seem opposite, but one looked for pain and the other for growth; both are true.
Liu et al. (2024) later counted the same stress and showed extra social support lowers parent distress. The calls for wider family and community help now span a decade.
Why it matters
If you serve Chinese families, plan for more than child goals. Ask about sleep, money, and shame. Link parents to grand-parent groups, online peer circles, or local NGOs. One extra ally can cut the isolation that Xiang first mapped, Yongshen confirmed, and Wenyuan proved eases distress.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
PURPOSE: Parenting children with autism presents unique challenges globally, particularly in China, where cultural factors and an underdeveloped service system can add complexity. This study aimed to explore the parenting experience and challenges of parents raising an autistic child in mainland China. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive design using individual semi-structured interviews. Using purposive sampling, participants were recruited in mainland China from April to July 2023. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-five Chinese parents (nineteen mothers and six fathers) of autistic children were interviewed. Four themes emerged: (1) diminished quality of life due to the caregiving role; (2) fears and worries regarding children's development; (3) experiences of isolation and loneliness in the caregiving journey; and (4) parental behaviors and their impact on child development. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that effective support for individuals with autism extends beyond individual-level interventions, necessitating the integration of family care and robust community support systems. Cultivating autism-friendly communities - where understanding, acceptance, and resources are readily available - is crucial for a more inclusive and supportive environment that addresses cultural stigma, empowers caregivers, and ensures access to appropriate services.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2025 · doi:10.2196/59696