Autism, Belief, and Society: Voices of Families in Cultural and Religious Contexts

This study examines how families of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Türkiye’s Southeastern Anatolia Region interpret autism within social, cultural, and religious contexts. By focusing on a socio-culturally conservative region characterized by strong religious values, patriarchal norms, and limited institutional resources, the research aims to reveal how belief systems, social expectations, and cultural narratives shape families’ perceptions of autism, the diagnostic process, and caregiving experiences. AA qualitative research design was employed. Data were collected from 12 parents (8 mothers and 4 fathers) who have children diagnosed with ASD through semi-structured interviews and home-based observations. Participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods. The data were analyzed using Erlingsson and Brysiewicz’s four-stage content analysis approach, which involved coding meaning units, developing categories, and identifying overarching themes. The analysis revealed four major themes: (1) delays in diagnosis and processes of denial and acceptance; (2) interpretations of autism through cultural values, social norms, and religious beliefs; (3) mothers’ multiple caregiving roles as educators, therapists, and guides; and (4) strategies of resisting stigmatization and normalizing autism. The findings indicate that autism diagnosis carries social, cultural, and psychological meanings beyond the biomedical framework. Religious narratives frequently function as coping mechanisms that help families reinterpret the diagnosis and manage social stigma. The study demonstrates that families’ experiences with autism are deeply embedded within sociocultural and religious meaning systems. Faith-based interpretations, gender roles, and social expectations significantly influence both the diagnostic process and caregiving practices. The findings highlight the importance of culturally sensitive social policies and family support programs that acknowledge the cultural and religious contexts shaping families’ experiences. This study explores how families of individuals diagnosed with autism disorder in Turkey’s Southeastern Anatolia Region understand autism within social, cultural, and religious contexts. Set in Türkiye’s Southeastern Anatolia Region a socio-culturally conservative area marked by strong religious values, patriarchal norms, and limited institutional resources - this study provides a geographically and culturally grounded perspective that is often underrepresented in global autism research. Specifically, it examines the dynamics of delay, denial, and acceptance; the influence of religious references and social norms; and the multiple roles that mothers assume in the care process. Adopting a qualitative research design, data were collected from 12 parents (8 mothers, 4 fathers) through semi-structured interviews and home observations, using purposive and snowball sampling. Data were analyzed with Erlingsson and Brysiewicz’s four-dimensional content analysis method. The analysis identified four key themes: (1) delays in diagnosis and processes of denial and acceptance; (2) interpretations of autism through cultural values, social norms, and religious beliefs; (3) mothers’ multiple caregiving roles as educators, therapists, and guides; and (4) resistance to stigmatization and strategies for normalizing autism. The findings highlight that diagnosis carries social, cultural, and psychological meanings beyond the medical sphere. Religious and cultural narratives serve as both coping mechanisms and acceptance tools. Mothers emerge as resilient yet often invisible figures who struggle for recognition and support. These results underscore the need for culturally sensitive social policies and comprehensive family support programs.