Autism’s Effect on the Whole Family

Author(s):  
Michael Ellis

The impairments associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) not only affect the individual with ASD, but also dramatically impact the parents, caregivers, family, teachers, school system, peers, and the community in general. The overall responsibility is great and felt by everyone who comes into contact with the individual with ASD. In this chapter, we will focus on ASD’s effect on the family. First, we will discuss what is known about how ASD typically impacts the whole family. Second, we will discuss how this family impact causes a reciprocal negative effect on the child with ASD, which may then diminish positive outcomes of interventions. Lastly, we will discuss the extent to which parental involvement is needed during treatments or interventions. I will show how certain interventions may reduce stress and the negative effects on the family and the child with ASD. It is my intention and hope that a discussion of what is “normal” in families affected by ASD will provide you with a greater understanding of ASD and the recognition that you are not alone in dealing with these challenges. This should lessen your sense of isolation and allow you to feel that your family dynamic is less “odd” and unique than you likely currently feel. As knowledge is power, some of the latest evidence and research will be shared. Being armed with this information will provide you with the confidence to tackle the typical difficulties associated with autism. You will learn how to be more resilient and avoid the most common pitfalls. The symptoms of ASD present a unique set of challenges for parents and the family as a whole. Thus, it is not surprising that research in this area indicates that caregivers of those with ASD have decreased parenting efficacy, or a reduced belief in their own parenting skills. These caregivers also have more parenting stress and increased mental and physical health problems. This is true even in comparison to the caregivers of children with other developmental disorders.

Hydrobiologia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 847 (19) ◽  
pp. 4049-4061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Piano ◽  
Alberto Doretto ◽  
Elisa Falasco ◽  
Laura Gruppuso ◽  
Francesca Bona ◽  
...  

Abstract Several Alpine streams are currently facing recurrent summer drying events with detrimental consequences on stream detritivores, i.e., shredders, due to negative effects via changes the organic matter (CPOM) availability. We examined the ecological requirements of three phylogenetically related shredder genera belonging to the family of Nemouridae (Plecoptera), namely Nemoura, Protonemura and Amphinemura, in 14 Alpine streams recently facing recurrent summer flow intermittency events. We evaluated the overlap among their ecological niches measured in terms of hydraulic stress, substrate composition, changes in CPOM availability and competition with other shredder taxa (i.e., presence of individuals of other shredders) and we examined potential changes in their ecological niches between permanent and intermittent sites. The ecological niches of Protonemura and Amphinemura overlap broadly, but not with Nemoura, suggesting only partial potential competition. The reduced CPOM availability decreased the individual abundance of the three genera in intermittent sites, where they consistently preferred microhabitats with high CPOM availability and low competition with other shredder taxa, possibly due to food limitation. Overall, our results emphasize how the negative effect of flow intermittency on shredders in Alpine streams is mainly due to the decrease in CPOM availability, with consequent potential bottom up effects on stream ecosystem functionality.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 63-96
Author(s):  
INTISAR SHAHBAZ ◽  

Abstract The problem of drug addiction for individuals, especially young people, is one of the most dangerous pests that cause many problems in various health, social and psychological aspects facing every society, but rather the whole world. The phenomenon of drug addiction often leaves individuals with dangerous negative effects on their behavior, whether towards themselves or towards others, and this requires the relevant institutions to strive for important and constructive solutions to reform such individuals, and then rid them of their negative behaviors, rehabilitate them and integrate them into society, to become active and effective individuals through their adoption of positive behaviors that are acceptable in line with the values, customs and traditions of their societies to which they belong. Therefore, our current study came to shed light on the most important effects resulting from the phenomenon of drug addiction among individuals through achieving the two research objectives which seek to know: 1- Causes of addiction to drug use among individuals 2- The effect of drug abuse on society. Upon verifying the two research objectives by relying on the analytical method of literature and previous studies, the two researchers reached the following results: First - The most important causes of youth addiction to drugs are poverty, begging, loss of one or both parents, the presence of a criminal in his family, invalid education and other various phenomena and deviations. Second - The symptoms of drug addiction push the addicted person to adopt deviant behaviors, as well as afflicting the addicted individual to psychological and mental pressures, and then afflicting his family with chronic diseases, in addition to the family breakdown occurring in the homes of drug addicts. Key words: drugs; Drug effect; The individual and society.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmina Veljković ◽  

The family as a living system is an organizedand permanent whole with changing patterns of human behavior, ie the family is the first life and social environment in which the child finds himself and acquires the first experiences that form the starting point of the overall development of the individual. In addition to the family, the time that the child spends in school is relatively long, and accordingly, she manages to achieve her influence on the development and formation of the student's personality. The cooperation established between the family and the school can contribute to both parties in different ways, improving the general atmosphere, the school climate and improving the work of teachers and providing support for the development of the family and parenting skills. By studying the relevant literature, we want to determine the importance of cooperation between the family and the school for the development of students' personalities, which is also the basic goal. The paper uses the historical method, as the basic method of historical research and analysis of the content of pedagogical documentation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 13830
Author(s):  
Maria Vender ◽  
Mirta Vernice ◽  
Antonella Sorace

Although bilingualism is generally appraised and supported by society, many more doubts arise when it comes to children suffering from neurodevelopmental disorders. The concern that the exposure to two languages might deteriorate the linguistic development of children, together with the advice to simplify the linguistic environment and to adopt a monolingual approach, leads many families to abandon their home language and sacrifice bilingualism. Scientific research, however, has shown that this fear is ungrounded and that children with developmental disorders can become successful bilingual speakers, if they are provided with appropriate linguistic exposure. The aim of this paper is that of providing a state-of-the-art of the literature on this topic, by reviewing studies conducted on the interaction between bilingualism and neurodevelopmental disorders, focusing in particular on the interaction between bilingualism and developmental language disorder (DLD), developmental dyslexia and autism spectrum disorder. We discuss issues related to the early identification of DLD and dyslexia among bilinguals and we report the results of studies showing that bilingualism does not exacerbate the difficulties of children with developmental disorders, but on the contrary it can be beneficial for them, at the cognitive, linguistic and socio-cultural level. Finally, we provide some recommendations for parents, educators and practitioners, focusing on the importance of supporting the family language in all of its components, including literacy, for a complete and harmonic bilingual growth.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 155798831989272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Shayesteh ◽  
Christine Brulin ◽  
Elisabet Nylander

Primary hyperhidrosis means excessive focal sweating and it has a negative effect on the mental health of those affected. Although there is no gender difference regarding the prevalence of the disease, men are less likely to seek help for this condition. The aim of this study was to explore the meaning of living with primary hyperhidrosis in men. Interviews with 15 men, selected by purposive sampling, were performed at Umeå University Hospital in Sweden between June 2016 and October 2017, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis technique according to Graneheim and Lundman (2004). This study found one theme, namely, to be captured in a filthy body, based on the categories: surrender to the condition reluctantly; prepare for a sweat attack; withdraw from close contacts; and worry about others’ perceptions. The theme describes men living with hyperhidrosis feeling filthy while they struggle to control or hide the excessive sweating. Insufficient understanding from others and being reminded from the sweating is stressful and results in a sense of captivity. Interpreting the result, we conclude that the disease could stigmatize the individual, which has a negative effect on mental health and the will to seek help. Meanwhile, providing information about the disease early, as in schools, could increase the willingness of men to seek medical help. The results of this study also reinforce quantitative studies reporting the negative effects of primary hyperhidrosis on mental health.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 256-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex B. Barker ◽  
Roshan das Nair ◽  
Nadina B. Lincoln ◽  
Nigel Hunt

Purpose – Many aspects of the self are lost as a consequence of having multiple sclerosis (MS). A person's identity can be altered by negative self-concepts, which are associated with poor psychological wellbeing and can lead individuals to reconstruct their sense of self. The Social Identity Model of Identity Change argues that previously established identities form a basis of continued social support, by providing grounding and connectedness to others to facilitate the establishment of new identities. Family support is a salient factor in adjustment to MS and may enable the establishment of new identities. The purpose of this paper is to investigate identity reconstruction following a diagnosis of MS. Design/methodology/approach – A meta-synthesis of the qualitative literature was conducted to examine the relationship between identity change and family identity of people with MS and other family members. Findings – In all, 16 studies were identified that examined identity change and the family following a diagnosis of MS. Coping strategies used by people with MS and their wider family groups, affect the reconstruction of people's identity and the adjustment to MS. Receiving support from the family whilst a new identity is constructed can buffer against the negative effects of identity loss. Practical implications – The family base is strengthened if MS-related problems in daily life are adapted into the individual and family identity using positive coping styles. Originality/value – This review provides an interpretation and explanation for results of previous qualitative studies in this area.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aladin Jenko

"Divorce is considered a form of family disintegration that leads to the demolition of the family and family pillars after its construction through the marriage contract and then the termination of all social ties between husband and wife and often between their relatives. Divorce rates have risen to frightening levels that threaten our Islamic societies. Among the most important causes of divorce in our society are the following: The failure of one or both spouses in the process of adapting to the other through the different nature of the spouses and their personalities, the interference of the parents, the lack of harmony and compatibility between the spouses, the bad relationship and the large number of marital problems, the cultural openness, the absence of dialogue within the family. Several parties have sought to develop possible solutions to this dangerous phenomenon in our society, including: Establishment of advisory offices to reduce divorce by social and psychological specialists, and include the issue of divorce within the educational and educational curricula in a more concerned manner that shows the extent of the seriousness of divorce and its negative effects on the individual, family and society, and the development of an integrated policy that ensures the treatment of the causes and motives leading to divorce in the community, as well as holding conferences. Scientific and enlightening seminars and awareness workshops and the need for religious institutions and their media platforms to play a guiding and awareness role of the danger and effects of divorce on family construction and society, and to educate community members about the dangers of divorce and the importance of maintaining the husband’s bond and stability. As well as reviewing some marriage legislation and regulations, such as raising the age of marriage and reconsidering the issue of underage marriage, which is witnessing a rise in divorce rates. Among the proposed solutions is the demand to withdraw the power of divorce from the man's hands and place it in the hands of the judge, to prevent certain harm to women, or as a means to prevent the frequent occurrence of divorce. The last proposition created a problem that contradicts the stereotypical image of divorce in Islamic law, for which conditions and elements have been set, especially since Islamic Sharia is the main source of personal status laws in most Islamic countries. Therefore, the importance of this research is reflected in the study of this solution and its effectiveness as a means to prevent the spread of divorce, and not deviate from the pattern specified for it according to Sharia."


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 218
Author(s):  
Paschalis Kavaliotis

Autism is considered to be a much more serious syndrome than other developmental disorders and according to studies it affects the resilience of the parents with an autistic child to a larger degree, comparatively. In this article the results of the investigation between the family resilience of the parents and their child’s diagnosis of the syndrome are presented, as it was regarded that, taking into consideration the autism syndrome and Asperger syndrome, the difficulties in a row of levels would be particularly more severe in diagnosed cases of autism. The parents of 312 autistic children in Greece, all of them couples, namely 624 men and women constituted the population sample. It was found that compared to Asperger syndrome at least, in cases of an autistic child’s upbringing, the parents’ resilience is more fragile, their stress higher and certainly the social support they receive is comparatively reduced.


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