How Does Autism Affect Families

Autism’s Effects Children and Their Families

Autism spectrum is a brain-based disorder that affects a person’s behavioral, social, and learning skill. The Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can severely affect living situations, as well as routine and familial relationships. Children with Autism struggle from a young age with behavioral, social, and physical behavior. There is no doubt that Autism effects each and everyone in the family. The lifestyle of having an autistic child differentiates with families, but overall the circumstances are similar. Raising a child with Autism is brings an intense demand on parental attention while going through the daily motions of life. Due to this, the massive amount of hours parents pour into their Autistic

At first, when parents become aware that their child is Autistic, there is a sense of grieving felt because of the unexpected change. A parent’s natural expectation to raise a so-called “normal” child is immediately transformed. Following up with the diagnosis, there are medical tests, and therapy sessions, and at-home adjustments that become prevalent in the parents’ every day lives. Parents’ commonly feel defeated during their child’s adolescent period, as it requires years of ongoing commitment to care for their Autistic child. According to Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders Journal, ASD behavioral problems such as high levels of anxiety, hyperactivity, and obsessive-compulsive habits are causes of stress for parents and families living with the Autistic Child. (Peters-Scheffer and Simonoff) Raising an Autistic child often leads to disorganization, poor health habits, and marital arguments. According to Psychology Today Website, married couples of children with ASD take on two separate roles. The mother becomes fully aware of the child’s medical and social needs, as the father works hard to pay for them. (Sicile-Kira par. 3) Keeping up with this ASD is exhausting, and often takes over the life of the mother and or father, resulting in marital isolation. According to Family Therapy Magazine, ASD in its early stages conflicts with the parents’ time to themselves, often leading

Throughout the process of adjusting to a familial routine, siblings tend to gain significant lessons from living with a brother or sister with ASD. (Gross, par.6) The lessons given are patience, leadership, and a great sense of understanding. Many siblings develop a sense of pride and compassion towards their sibling with ASD when goals and accomplishments are achieved. Research studies have focused on the opinions of siblings of Autistic individuals. Specifically, The New York Times magazine released a research study focused on these siblings, referring to them as “The Burdened Youth”. Researchers asked numerous different siblings their opinions on their Autistic sister or brother, and what struggles they go through with them. For example, Mark (15) has an Autistic younger brother Derek (13). Mark has dealt with daily struggles due to his brother’s disorder. Mark expressed that he is used to picking up after his brother’s messes, uncontrollable temper tantrums, and ongoing obsessions. Mark conveyed that he tends to feel rejected from his parents because of the undivided attention Derek’s disorder requires (Gross). After interviewing multiple other children in similar situations, researchers noticed that majority of the siblings feel both positive and negative effects from their siblings disorder. Positive effects include a leadership