scholarly journals Experiences of Family Members of Children with Autism

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 367-372
Author(s):  
Claudia Maria Sousa de Carvalho ◽  
Islana Caminha Morais ◽  
Juliana da Silva Borges ◽  
Maria Clara Araújo Oliveira ◽  
Ana Eduarda Sousa de Carvalho ◽  
...  

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by the change in the behavior-interaction-communication, with different levels of impairment. Objectives: This study aims to describe the experiences of family members of children with autism and discuss strategies to improve the quality of life of family members. Methods: A descriptive, exploratory study with a qualitative approach was carried out in a self-help association for autism, located in the city of Teresina/PI, Brazil. Data collection took place in September and October 2019 through the application of a semi-structured interview. Eighteen (18) family members of children with autism in the Association of Friends of Autistic Individuals (AMA) participated in the study. Bardin’s content analysis was the technique used for data analysis. Results: The results showed experiences of negative feelings on the part of family members who lived with autistic children, such as frustration and pain, but also positive feelings of affection and dedication and state of neutrality. The daily life of family members involved the experience of difficulties due to the care of the autistic children, in addition to the lack of information regarding different cases of autism. Therefore, it is necessary to include family members and children in support networks with the objective of making them a part of society with the help of the multidisciplinary team. Conclusion: The present research showed that the experiences of family members of children with autism are difficult at first, but with daily learning and interaction, they become rewarding. The study also reinforces the importance of team in the care of autistic children and highlighted the relevance of improving the family’s quality of life, which can also reflect on the quality of care of that individual.

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-134
Author(s):  
Maria P. M CHAIM ◽  
Sebastião B. C. NETO, ◽  
Aminn y F. PEREIRA, ◽  
Virgínia E. S. M. COSTA

The quality of life (QOL) of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is related to the symptomatic and idiopathic characteristics of the existential condition of the child and is determined by the subjective understandings attributed according to the individual experience. The primary objective of this article is to describe and understand the subjective constructs about the self-referenced QOL of mothers of children with ASD. It is an empirical study, qualitative and based on a reading of phenomenological psychopathology. Participated 10 mothers of children with ASD, users of public health services in Goiânia. The following instruments were used: a sociodemographic and clinical data questionnaire and a semi-structured interview script about QOL. The interviews were submitted to the construction of thematic categories, according to the methodology of Giorgi (1985), and later were correlated with the existential categories of Augras (2004). It was observed that although a standard is sought to understand QOL, each mother has subjective factors that reflect in her way of experiencing the condition of being a mother of a child with special needs. It is concluded that it is the science, when seeking to understand the quality of life of people with similar characteristics, to consider the relevance of the subjective aspects and the meaning that each mother constructs of its own reality.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled Yousef Asi

<p>The current study aimed to identify the level of quality of life among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and the differences according to the relationship with the autistic child, gender, severity of disability. The sample consisted of (100) parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, enrolled in the program of autism, intentionally selected in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Quality of life scale prepared and utilized by the author after verification of validity and reliability. The results showed that the level of quality of life among the participants was medium, and the results showed statistically significant differences in the level of quality of life among the participants due to the impact of the relationship with autistic children, where differences were in favor of the parents, and the variable of gender of the autistic child, where differences were in favor of the males, and severity of the disability, where the differences were in favor of the mild group. The study recommended the need to draw the attention of officials in the care and service centers for children with autism spectrum to provide training programs and activities for parents of autistic children to raise the level of quality of life, especially mothers.</p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
O.V. Musiyenko ◽  
N.B. Kizlo

<p>The purpose of this work was to determine the effect of rock climbing as a means of adaptive physical education on behavior, emotional state, coordination of movements and quality of life of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Material and methods: Five children aged 8-9 with ASD participated in the experiment. All children who were involved in rock climbing had the same name. low-function autism (disability of subgroup A). They did not speak, they could neither read nor write, had problematic behavior, stereotyped movements, a large number of inappropriate movements, impaired coordination of movements, aggression and autoaggression. The children attended classes on rock climbing 2 times a week for 40 minutes. on a rock climbing bridge in Lviv from September 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018. Classes were individual. Each of them started with warm-up (5 minutes), in the main part of the children were taught Bouldering (10 min.) And worked on high tracks up to 14 m (25 min.). Prior to the beginning of classes (August 2017), parents' questionnaires were conducted concerning the psychophysical status of children who were included in the experiment. The questionnaire was filled up by parents every three months during the experiment, which led to changes in the psychophysical state of their children. Results: Based on the results of an expert assessment of the psychophysical condition of children with RAS attending climbing classes, it can be argued that, against the backdrop of growth in the results of the skills of movements, the logic of passing the distance, the speed of solving motor tasks, a significant increase in positive emotions, there is a significant decrease in problem behavior. Climbing activities contribute to a significant increase in the quality of life of both children from the ASD and their parents. The results of the influence of the duration of classes on the components of the behavior of the children under study by multidimensional dispersion analysis showed a significant impact on the duration of occupations on various components of child behavior (p &lt;0.001). Conclusions The obtained results testify to the high efficiency of the use of rock climbing as a means of socialization of children with autism. Climbing is a powerful sensory stimulus for children with PAC. It is possible to recommend individual climbing exercises for children with ASD as an effective means of adaptive physical education.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
O.V. Musiyenko ◽  
R.V. Chopyk ◽  
N.B. Kizlo

<p><strong>The </strong><strong>aim</strong> of the work is to establish the impact of adaptive physical education classes according to our proposed method on the motor abilities and behavior of children with autism spectrum disorders and on the quality of life of their families.</p><p><strong>Material and methods</strong>. Analysis and generalization of literature data on the peculiarities of psycho-motor development of children with autism, their behavior. Development of methods of adaptive physical education of children with autism, which includes exercises for the development of general and fine motor skills, imitation, coordination of movements and the development of physical qualities such as strength, agility, flexibility. Expert assessment of test exercises. Questionnaire of parents about the psychophysical condition of their children and the quality of life of families raising a child with autism. Methods of mathematical statistics.</p><p><strong>Results</strong>. It has been established that children with autism have significant impairments of motor activity and psychophysical condition, which significantly affects the quality of life of children and their families. There is a very low level of development of motor skills. Parents of children in the experimental group noted that from now on their children began to have fewer problems with movement, their movements became more coordinated and it became easier to move. In terms of self-care and self-care, the difficulties became less significant (average level), the usual daily activities also became easier, the phenomena of discomfort and anxiety decreased.</p><p><strong>Conclusions</strong>. Children with autism have significant deviations in motor development, arbitrariness of movements, understanding of expediency of movements, general motility of the body. Classes in adaptive physical education according to our proposed method allowed children with autism to overcome most motor disorders, which was a prerequisite for improving higher nervous activity and behavior. Significant improvement of psychophysical condition of children as a result of employment, and also growth of quality of life is established.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Dannielle Ayers ◽  
E. Laurette Taylor ◽  
Paul Branscum ◽  
Craig Hofford

The current study assessed impact of a gymnastics program on gross motor function and health quality of life in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Eleven children participating in gymnastics were compared to ten children in a comparison group. Measurement tools were the Test of Gross Motor Development-second edition (TGMD-2) and Pediatric Quality of Life- fourth edition (PedsQL-4.0). Results showed no between group differences for overall gross motor function and health quality of life. Statistically significant differences were found for two individual skills on the TGMD-2: run (p=.026) and gallop (p=.041). Potential confounding factors were observed (i.e. rater bias, dose response, and “toe-walking”).


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