Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder face extreme difficult situations. Such disorder tend to which cannot be cure and stay as a permanent challenge. Once a child has been diagnosed, parents and caregivers tried to adjust themselves in different mechanisms. The objective of this study was to explore the challenges and coping mechanisms of parents raising an autistic child in Bahir Dar City. A qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological research approach was employed to gain the meaning of parents while raising an autistic child, and in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 parents. The study employed thematic data analysis technique. The study findings show parents faced different challenges while raising autistic children such as parental stress before diagnosis, parents hesitate to accept the child’s condition after diagnosis, future uncertainty, fear to release the child, parental challenge in managing the autistic children’s sleeping disorder behavior, communication, health challenges together with lack of support and services. On the other hand, parents used different mechanisms to deal with challenges such as accepting the reality, considering the child as good fortune, faithfulness to God; and spouses support. In general, this research could provide a light for further research, and organizations which are interested to work in care and support services such as rehabilitation to autistic children, medical care, education and consultation and training service for parents. Key words: Parents, Autistic children, Challenges, Coping strategies