Assessment of Interactions Between Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents in Terms of Emotional Availability

In this study, we aimed to assess the interactions of mothers and fathers with their children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and compare the fathers and mothers in terms of emotional availability. Children, who applied to the Infant Mental Health Unit between January 2019-March 2021 and diagnosed with ASD, and their parents without any clinical diagnosis were included. The study was conducted with a total of 64 infants, 41 (64.1%) boys and 23 (35.9%) girls aged 7-60 months. According to the results obtained, it was determined that the mothers were more sensitive and better in structuring the content of play compared with the fathers. It was noted that the fathers were more hostile than the mothers. The results obtained were discussed in the literature.