摘要
Background: As autistic young adults transition to adulthood, family support often remains important. Yet mothers' continued involvement can be interpreted as overprotection rather than being understood in relation to ongoing support needs and uneven institutional responses. Although research has documented the demands of maternal caregiving, less is known about how mothers experience continued caregiving and emotional reciprocity as their autistic children move toward adulthood and how they envision their children's futures. This study examines these experiences among Taiwanese mothers of autistic young adult sons. Methods: This study reports a focused analysis of in-depth interviews with 13 Taiwanese mothers of autistic young adult sons enrolled in higher education. Interview data were analyzed using an inductive, interpretive thematic approach informed by reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Three themes were developed. Mothers described being blamed for overprotecting their sons, particularly when continued support was interpreted as hindering masculine independence. They also described emotional reciprocity within close relationships that they believed were often overlooked by others. Looking into the future, mothers understood developing autonomy as dependent not only on individual capacities but also on opportunities to participate and learn within supportive social environments. Conclusions: Situated in Taiwan, the findings challenge assumptions that continued maternal involvement necessarily reflects overprotection or is incompatible with autonomy. Mothers' narratives instead offer a relational understanding of developing autonomy as shaped by care and the social conditions surrounding autistic young adults.