Women with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Children Community in Indonesia, Their Education and Influence of The Socialization Stage

Abstract

The objective of this study was to discuss a family's role and function in helping the process of socialization for ASD (autism spectrum disorder) children. The informants were parents of children with ASD; they were the members of a special community of women with ASD children, Komunitas Kasih Ibu. The data were gathered by conducting observation and in-depth interviews with 6 (six) parents and a psychologist. The result of this study showed that a family was an important foundation in helping autistic children, viewed from social and psychological aspects. Therefore, family's role and function could influence the adaptation of autistic children through the stages of socialization and interaction. It was also found that parents' interaction and communication with their autistic children could become an important key for them to get involved in the world of autistic children so that they could grasp their autistic children's interest. According to Mead's concept, parents' socialization stages for taking care of their autistic children consist of preparatory stage, imitation stage, ready to act stage, and collective norm acceptance stage. These socialization stages constitute a complete package in which a success is needed in each stage; if one stage fails, it has to be repeated.