Nurturing Teenagers with Special Needs: As a Basis for Government Intervention Programs

Background: When compared to parents of average children, parents of teenagers with special needs (ASD) experience higher stress levels and endure various health issues.

Aim: This study aimed to look at parents' experiences of nurturing teenagers with special needs (ASD) autism spectrum disorder within the City of San Fernando, La Union, The Philippines.

Methods: This was a descriptive research study. The study employed a mixed methods approach to explore (in-depth) parents' experiences using both a questionnaire and an oral interview. Data were obtained from 8 parents of children with autism who were chosen using the purposive strategy. Three specialists in the profession evaluated both the questionnaire and the interview guide. The information gathered was examined using frequencies count, percentages, and themes. Following the questionnaire, researchers conducted a face-to-face interview to explain the goal of the inquiry by an interview methodology expressly created for that reason. The parents' exact body movements, gestures, and facial expressions were also studied.

Results: The results found that most of the teenagers' parents were female (62.5%), most of the respondents were within the 31– 35-year age group (37.5%), and three were separated from their spouses (37.5%). Most of the parents had a college graduate degree (50%). The four major themes were derived from nurturing teenagers with special needs: as a basis for government intervention programs through intelligent transcription, revealed the Parental participation, Difficulties of parents, Coping strategies, and Special Road.

Conclusions: This article revealed that parents' both fathers and mothers of teenagers with special needs (ASD), were female (62.5%), most of the respondents were within the 31– 35-year age group (37.5%), and three were separated from their spouse (37.5%). Most of the parents had a college graduate degree (50%). It implies that the parents and teachers of teenagers with ASD were knowledgeable and educated enough that they could nurture and care for their wards. Even without adequate support from the government and community, they still developed a coping strategy that helps them to nurture their teenagers.