Abstract

Statistics on autism are rising, and with the diagnosis age as early as two years old, parents have the difficult task of disclosing diagnosis details to their child with autism. Based on the somewhat new Theory of Motivated Information Management (TMIM; Afifi & Weiner, 2004), the current investigation is interested in the criteria parent’s consider(ed) predisclosure of the diagnosis to the child with autism, and how in turn disclosure impacts parental well-being. Through a survey taken by 66 parents of children on the autism spectrum, results revealed that parent’s disclosed/plan to disclose accurate diagnosis details because they felt/feel that their child, with whom they feel relationally secure with, would benefit from knowing. This, in turn, helps the parents communally cope with their child and feel positive affect and perceived adaptation towards their child’s diagnosis of autism. Findings from this study have implications for the role of parents as information providers.

Key words: disclosure, autism, families