Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication difficulties and the presence of repetitive behaviors. Although there have been international studies exploring how ASD impacts the family, few have explored the paternal caregiving experience in the context of the Philippine environment. Caregiving has been a traditionally female practice, so much so that little is known about what fathers go through in taking care of ASD-diagnosed children. This research uses a phenomenological method to explore the lived experiences of fathers in Laguna, Philippines, to gain an in-depth understanding of their challenges, coping mechanisms, and construction of parental identities. Using qualitative methods, the research explores financial stress, emotional distress, and social expectations that define their caregiving roles. Through this, the research reveals the resilience and adaptive processes of fathers, and valuable insights can be gained to inform inclusive caregiving policies and support systems. The findings seek to add to the existing body of literature on fatherhood and ASD, and the importance of certain interventions recognizing and empowering fathers as active agents in their children's development.