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Montes, G., & Halterman, J. S. (2007). Psychological Functioning and Coping Among Mothers of Children With Autism: A Population-Based Study. Pediatrics,119(5). doi:10.1542/peds.2006-2819

Paltrow, C. (2015, February 13). 4 Ways a Child with Autism Affects Family Life. Retrieved April 27, 2018, from https://psychcentral.com/blog/4-ways-a-child-with-autism-affects-family-life/

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Operation Meaningful Life: A Father and Sons Journey to the Future They Always Knew was Possible

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Operation Meaningful Life: A Father and Sons Journey to the Future They Always Knew was Possible

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From: Special Books By Special Kids

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Operation Meaningful Life (Autism and Employment)

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ASD and The Future of the Individuals, and Families 

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ASD and The Future of the Individuals, and Families 

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One concern that comes with being a part of a family affected by ASD is the hope and belief that despite certain challenges, these individuals can be successful and functioning members of society with an ultimate goal of living independently. This includes things such as finding and maintaining employment and maintaining a place to live. Due to the nature of ASD, an individuals ability to do this can range drastically. However even in severe cases, this can be accomplished with dedicated family member that help encourage the development of these skills.

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Having a family member get diagnosed with autism not only changes the life of that individual, but close family and friends. Parents of children diagnosed with ASD often experience new stresses whether it be complicated schedules, home treatment, financial impacts, emotional stress, or even marital complications. All these stresses play a role in the effect on the individual and family. However more often than you might think families, and marriages are strengthened through this process with hard work, and proficient support.

In an article from Psych Central author and psychiatrist Chole Paltrow, who has been working with ASD for over ten years now lays out multiple ways in which families are affected by ASD.

-Emotional:
- A study from the journal of pediatrics found that mothers of children with ASD were more likely to rate their mental health as fair
to poor when compared to the general population.
-  Embarrassment of behavior in public (Parents)
- Feeling socially isolated (Parent and Child)
- In extreme cases, parents can feel resentful that the parenting experience that they are having is not like the one that they
imagined.
- Some parent even experience guilt as if they are responsible for the pupils struggles.
- Lastly, Families can often feel overwhelmed, and lost due to the incurable nature of ASD.
-Marriage:
-Spending time together can become difficult when coping with the many commitments associated with the child’s diagnosis.
- Finding child care can be more difficult.
- Lastly Parent sometimes come to terms with the diagnosis in differing ways, and at different time, which can lead to conflict.
Siblings:
- In some cases, in which there are both neurotypical and diagnosed siblings, a rivalry of sorts can arise due to the autistic child’s
need for more attention and time from the family. It may create a feeling of being left out for the typically developing sibling.
(However, as we saw in the video The Flappy Brothers these challenges can be overcame with family control, and support.)
Financial Struggles:
- Copays, therapy, medications, are often not covered by insurance.

- Often leads to one parent switching from full time to part time work. (which could cause loss of health insurance)

- A study found in The journal of Pediatrics reveals that on average families lose fourteen percent of their income weather to less
hours at work, or increased expenses.

- These finical struggles often lead to other issues including marital.

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Audio Interview With       Michelle Bishop

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Audio Interview With       Michelle Bishop

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My girlfriend, Michelle, has worked as a preschool teacher for the past 5 years and has had the privilege of working with many students with a variety of special needs. She has shared with me that some of her favorite students in this category to work with, are those with ASD. In this interview, she will share some examples of how the families of these children have been affected, as well as the support that they provide to her as a teacher. Be advised that for the sake of protecting the privacy of these children and families, we will not be using their real names.

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This video depicts two brothers who are very different, but have a lot of things in common and share a beautiful bond together. Chris, one of these brothers is neurotypical and the other is affected by mild ASD. Despite their differences, Cullen's brother has embraced him exactly as he is and makes it a point to make a connection and relate to his unique behaviors such as arm flapping, which is a common characteristic as ASD. What I drew from this interaction is that it is important to treat those with ASD as you would anyone else in the family and that although there are struggles, typically functioning family members can learn so much about acceptance and embracing the unique journey that is ASD.

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Autism Spectrum Disorder is very complex and those that deal with it face many tribulations and difficulties. These things not only affect those who are on the spectrum, but also the families that they are a part of. Despite these challenges, proper family support can do amazing things to help those with ASD have a complete normal and meaningful life. In this presentation, I will discuss how these things affect families and how everyone in these situations can learn from each other to better understand this disorder.

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Happy Flappy Brothers: ASD and siblings 

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Happy Flappy Brothers: ASD and siblings 

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From: Special Books By Special Kids

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Happy Flappy Brothers (A Brother with Autism)