Parents' Voices on Disability Legislation: Insights from the Study on the Impact of Orientation among Parents of Children with Autism

Parveena Research, Dr. Rainu Gupta

Abstract: This paper offers a comprehensive exploration of the perspectives, challenges, and advocacy journeys of parents raising children with autism in India, with a specific focus on the intersection of family life and disability legislation. Drawing from a mixed-methods doctoral research study, this paper focuses on two core objectives: (1) understanding parental perspectives on disability laws and their implementation, and (2) analyzing the psychosocial dimensions of raising a child with autism, with particular attention to sibling adjustment. The study employed a descriptive research design, integrating quantitative data from structured questionnaires with rich, qualitative data from ten detailed family case studies. Quantitative findings revealed that 88.46% of parents recognized significant psycho-social impacts on their family, while 100% of siblings reported personal or emotional challenges. Qualitative analysis unearthed critical themes, including the transformative role of siblings, profound adjustment difficulties, and distinct gender-based patterns in coping. Furthermore, the research identified a pervasive gap between the existence of progressive laws, such as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and parents' practical ability to leverage them. As both a researcher and a parent of a child with autism, I interweave personal reflection with empirical findings to argue that targeted orientation is the crucial bridge that transforms legislative intent into tangible family empowerment. The study concludes that empathetic, parent-centric policy frameworks, systematic awareness programs, and a deeper inclusion of familial voices are imperative to achieve genuine inclusion and justice for children with autism and their families.

Keywords: autism, parental perspectives, disability legislation, sibling adjustment, inclusion, advocacy, RPwD Act 2016, family systems, orientation, India

How to Cite?: Parveena Research, Dr. Rainu Gupta, "Parents' Voices on Disability Legislation: Insights from the Study on the Impact of Orientation among Parents of Children with Autism", Volume 14 Issue 12, December 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 80-84, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251201220614, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251201220614