Fathers speak: The lived experiences of fathers of adolescents with autism regarding transition planning for their children

This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of fathers of adolescent sons with autism spectrum disorders as they transitioned out of school and into the postsecondary environment. Current research is lacking regarding the experiences of fathers; some researchers have described fathers as an afterthought when discussing the experiences of family members of individuals with disabilities. The purpose of the study was to gain insight into the essences of the fathers' experiences and to determine if there are commonalities within each father's unique circumstances. Qualitative data were gathered using interviews. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using hand coding. Four emergent themes were identified and the responses of the fathers interviewed were presented and related to the available research as well as to the methodological findings of Carl Rogers and John Dewey. The study concluded with a discussion of the findings gleaned from the interviews and recommendations for future research on the topic of father involvement in the lives of their adolescent children with autism.