Special Needs Fathers: Til Death Do Us Part?

Abstract

This article is a reflection of dilemma, hopes, and fears of a 65-year-old professional as he thinks about what will happen to his 29-year-old son R afflicted with autism—as he reaches the point of no longer being able to care for him, or dies. Replete with current literature research facts, it describes autism and the associated stigmas faced by both son and Special Needs Father (SNF). It depicts the son's medical history and the father's feelings and hurt in daily life and how the SNF copes with those feelings and hurt. The article is significant since there is little research about SNFs, and almost none on aging SNFs.

Keywords

special needs aging fathers autism feelings coping

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