1. BIRUK BEFKADU - Ph.D Candidate, School of Social Work, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
2. MARGARET E. ADAMEK - Professor, Director of PhD Program at Indiana University and Editor of Journal of Advances in Social Work.
3. DEBEBE ERO - PhD, Dean of College of Social Sciences, Addis Ababa University.
This study aimed to examine the public reactions and social stigma faced by parents of a child living with autism in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A convenience sample of 12 parents was interviewed. Both positive and negative public reactions were identified: rejection/avoidance, blaming looks, rumors, fisting, pointing fingers, staring, and non-verbal cues as indicators of stigma were reported. Hence, professionals and the concerned bodies should work to raise the awareness of the society in this regard.
Autism, Parents, Publics reactions, Stigma