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Abstract
African American fathers raising children with autism continue to be underrepresented in autism, family engagement, and special education research despite their important contributions to their children's educational and developmental outcomes. This qualitative study investigated ten African American fathers with children with autism. It examined their life experiences and the roles formal and informal support systems played in their parenting. Semi-structured interviews uncovered five interconnected developmental themes: (a) early bonding as the foundation of advocacy and protection, (b) trust and confidence in support systems, (c) spirituality and well-being, (d) coping strategies and personal growth, and (e) advancing culturally responsive care and community support. Collectively, the conclusions illustrate how fathers harnessed the strength of connectedness, trusted networks of support, faith and spirituality, and personal experiences for resilience, advocacy, and purposeful engagement with educational, healthcare, and community systems. The study also emphasizes the relevance of seeing African American fathers as knowledgeable partners who have lived experiences that contribute to experiential knowledge to facilitate improved family engagement and culturally responsive practice. Focusing on fathers’ voices, this study adds to the academic literature about autism and fatherhood and offers practical implications for educators, educational leaders, healthcare professionals, community organizations, and policymakers seeking to develop more equitable, father-inclusive support systems that improve outcomes for children with autism and their families.