A controversial disability and its impact on parents: Understanding the adaptation process of parents of children diagnosed with developmental apraxia of speech

The purpose of the study was to investigate the adaptation process of parents of children with a controversial speech-language disorder, developmental apraxia of speech (DAS). This descriptive study utilized grounded theory to analyze in-depth interviews of parents of children with DAS. Eleven parents of children with DAS portrayed their adaptation experiences, particularly as they related to the controversial nature of the DAS diagnosis, in their own voices during in-depth, semi-structured, open-ended interviews. Data analysis followed the procedures of grounded theory, beginning with open coding, followed by axial coding, and concluding with selective coding. Qualitative data generated through the interview process was used to generate a theoretical explanation for how parents of children with this speech and language disorder adapt to the experience of having a child with a controversial disability.