Background There has been a dramatic increase in autism around the world. However, little is known about the impact of the Taiwanese primogeniture system on mothers of children with ASD. Greater knowledge is needed to understand the life experiences of Taiwanese mothers with ASD children when a healthy male descendent is expected. Materials and Methods Research follows the hermeneutic phenomenological approach with in‐depth interviews and participant observation (Agar, Speaking of Ethnography. Sage, California, 1986). The researchers collected and analysed stories from seven mothers who are the major caregivers of their school‐aged autistic children. Results The data revealed the following themes that represented the mothers' experiences: taking the blame, my world was turned upside down, a child‐centred life and two lives as one. Conclusions The findings provide a deeper understanding of common expectations of, and behaviours directed towards, Taiwanese mothers of children with autism. This offers healthcare professionals ways of reconceptualizing therapeutic practice, thus benefitting these mothers.