Healthy Families: An Investigation Into Factors That Promote Robust Family Health for Families Raising Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (4_Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 7311515294p1
Author(s):  
Hannah Burke ◽  
Sarah Smith
2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris Manor-Binyamini

Although children across the world experience autism spectrum disorder (ASD), most research on ASD has been conducted using Western cultural perspectives and has focused primarily on mothers, leaving significant gaps in the literature. This study aimed to address these gaps by exploring the experiences of fathers raising children with ASD in a Bedouin community. To this end, a sample of 19 fathers of children (aged 6–15 years) with ASD living in recognized and unrecognized Bedouin settlements in the Negev participated in ethnographic, semi-structured interviews designed to investigate their experiences with raising a child with ASD in their community. Two major themes emerged: the challenges that Bedouin fathers of children with ASD face, and the influence of socio-demographic and cultural characteristics on their experience. Findings reflect the complex experiences of fathers raising children with ASD in the Bedouin community, stemming from their socio-cultural context and the limited knowledge and support services that are available in the community for these children. This article concludes with recommendations on how to enhance professional sensitivity and provide more culturally tailored services for parents of children with ASD.


Autism ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1645-1654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamal M Al Khateeb ◽  
Louise Kaczmarek ◽  
Muna S Al Hadidi

Four databases were searched to identify studies published by Arab researchers on parents’ perceptions of autism spectrum disorder and studies conducted by US researchers and published in systematic reviews of this topic. The electronic search resulted in 14 studies published by Arab researchers and 55 studies published by US researchers. The results showed that autism spectrum disorder has many of the same effects on Arab and American families. Six major areas were identified in the results. Financial difficulties associated with raising children with autism spectrum disorder were mentioned more in Arab studies than in US studies. Arab studies had more emphasis on gender than US studies. The results related to quality of life of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in Arab studies were equivocal. US studies included comparisons with families without a child with autism spectrum disorder, and addressed factors that were associated with quality of life indicators. More health, educational, and social services were available in United States than in Arab countries, but some frustration was reported by US parents in obtaining appropriate services in some studies. A higher percentage of Arab studies mentioned the role of religious faith than US studies. Finally, social stigma was evidenced in both cultures, but not much research was available.


2020 ◽  
pp. 121-127
Author(s):  
Katelynn Jolly ◽  
Professor Tonya Huber

Objective: Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are likely to develop and experience stress and anxiety due to the overwhelming amount of new information, research on their child’s needs, and coping with everyday hardships. Method: This systematic review analyzed seven recent research articles related to the anxiety and stress in mothers raising children with ASD. Studies were limited to a focus on maternal mental health experiences raising a child with ASD. Findings: All studies examined show a sample of mothers that have anxiety while raising children with ASD. Researchers employed different methodologies in measuring these mothers’ anxiety at either one or two points in time. The strengths and weaknesses of each study were reviewed. Some studies even reported a direct effect concerning the way mothers interact with others and their children as a result of their mental health state. Limitations in most of the studies reviewed showed a smaller sample size than originally intended. Conclusion: While there are many studies that focus on children with ASD, there is a lack of research on the mental health state of their parents, specifically mothers. These parents take on the role of being a provider, advocate, and channel between their children and a world that is rarely accessible to them. Research in this area can greatly benefit new mothers experiencing this, and all parents that may have an unhealthy mental state when dealing with the responsibility and work it takes raising a child with a disability.


2020 ◽  
Vol LXXXI (3) ◽  
pp. 188-199
Author(s):  
Karina Leksy

Epidemiological data clearly indicate that the number of children with autism spectrum disorder is systematically growing. Families which bear responsibility for raising and caring for children with disabilities wrestle with many problems of everyday life. Many times, the hardships of raising children with autism, dealing with their emotions and one's own as well as everyday problems lead to a family crisis. Therefore, there is no doubt that both children with autism spectrum disorder and their parents/families need both institutional and non-institutional help and support. The aim of this article is to present – on the example of an individual case of a family with a child with autism spectrum disorder – the types of support the family has received and evaluation of this support. The information obtained indicates that help and support for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families offered by the state is insufficient and, therefore, many families have to cope on their own. However, the effective handling of the situation is highly dependent on individual, systemic, and material resources a family has as well as on external systems of family support which allow the best possible fulfilment of protective and educational functions regarding the child.


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