Career Disruption: The Impact of Transitioning From a Full-Time Career Professional to the Primary Caregiver of a Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder

For parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who have given their time and commitment to complete an education and have gained employment in a professional field, a career disruption can have profound effects. A qualitative methodology was used to answer the two research questions that anchored this study: (a) What is the impact of career disruption on career-oriented parents who transition to being the primary caregiver for a child with ASD? and (b) How do parents who become the primary caregivers cope with the disruption, delay, or forfeiture of their professional careers? Parent participants identified three phases: (a) the career disruption process, (b) the impact of career loss, and (c) the transition to personal significance. Discussion focuses on the impact of career disruption and the necessity of service providers to recognize and embrace the importance of parental advocacy.