To address the limited research on diverse families of children with ASD, we examined the impact of ASD on 46 Latina and 56 non-Latina White mothers from a resiliency perspective. We explored perceptions of family problems, optimism and pessimism among mothers of child with ASD between 1 and 22 years old. Mothers were recruited through support…

Raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) poses unique challenges that may impact parents' mental health and parenting experiences. The current study analyzed self-report data from 77 parents of youth with ASD. A serial multiple mediation model revealed that parenting stress (SIPA) and parental mental health (BAI and BDI-II) appears to…

Data from 368 families of children with autism and other developmental disabilities in the People's Republic of China were gathered to understand the stresses that families experience and the coping strategies they employ. Chinese families of children with developmental disabilities perceived high levels of stress related to pessimism, child…

This study examined stress-support in 42 families of 3- to 18-year-old children with Prader-Willi Syndrome. While children's age, intelligence quotient, and degree of obesity were not related to familial stress, families experienced greater stress when children showed more behavior problems overall, more externalizing and internalizing problems,…

Comparison of 16 autistic children receiving psychotropic medication with 16 similar nonmedicated children and their parents found that discriminators of the parental decision to medicate or not included: family stress; the child's speaking ability; and irritable, driven, non-goal-directed child behavior. (DB)

The study found greater stress for 57 parents of children with autism than for 60 parents of Down Syndrome children and 121 parents of normal children. Mothers demonstrated greater depressive symptoms than mothers of average children. Social support lessened the impact of parenting stress, suggesting the need for more counseling and support…

This article outlines the elements that were included in a study that measured the cost of providing informal care to children (ages 4-10) with autism. The application of the instrument in a study of 15 families offers tentative evidence on the parental economic burden and the costs of informal care. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Five siblings of autistic children relate some of their own experiences and provide insight on how this handicap manifests itself throughout the family's environment. A psychiatrist experienced with autistic children and their families comments on the siblings' stories. (SBH)

The study assessed the impact of various individual symptoms of autism on mothers and fathers of 20 autistic children (ages 6-18), and 20 professionals' accuracy in estimating parents' perceived stress levels. Among results were that professionals judged families as more stressed by the child symptoms than did families themselves. (Author/DB)

Family systems theory was employed to study sibling relationships in 50 families with a child (ages 4-12) with autism. Typically developing siblings expressed satisfaction with their sibling relationships. Parents were somewhat less positive about the sibling relationships. Stress in the marital relationship was associated with compromised sibling…

The study demonstrated the effectiveness of a modified Double ABCX or FAAR (Family Adjustment and Adaptation Response) model in predicting successful adaptation (good marital adjustment, few maternal depressive symptoms, and an in-home rating of family functioning) in 45 families of autistic and communication impaired children (ages 2-10).…