This pioneering study investigates how entrepreneurship positively contributes to mothers of autistic children attaining greater autonomy in the Brazilian context. Drawing upon and extending the theories of planned behavior and work-family enrichment, the research examines entrepreneurial intention, work-family balance, and fear of entrepreneurial failure as necessary conditions for mothers of autistic children to develop entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Through a mixed-methodological approach, combining quantitative data from 80 valid questionnaires analyzed through Necessary Condition Analysis with qualitative insights from 10 in-depth interviews, the study yields three significant theoretical contributions. First, it advances necessity-driven entrepreneurship theory by revealing how fear of failure paradoxically functions as both a barrier and a necessary condition for entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Second, it extends Work-Family Enrichment Theory by demonstrating how atypical mother entrepreneurs deliberately constrain business growth to maintain work-family equilibrium, challenging conventional entrepreneurial success metrics. Third, it enriches the Theory of Planned Behavior by illuminating how autism caregiving uniquely shapes entrepreneurial intentions and behaviors. The findings reveal that while entrepreneurship provides desired flexibility and autonomy, the distinctive challenges of autism caregiving necessitate specialized support mechanisms. This research not only addresses calls for more contextualized studies of female entrepreneurship in emerging economies but also provides crucial insights for developing targeted policies and support programs for this distinct entrepreneurial population.
