Challenges in families with a child with autism spectrum disorder

• Author: Mihaela Grasu
• Position: Faculty of Philosophy and Social-Political, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi
• Pages: 87-94

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov

Series VII: Social Sciences • Law • Vol. 8 (57) No. 1 - 2015

CHALLENGES IN FAMILIES WITH A

CHILD WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM

DISORDER

Mihaela GRASU1

Abstract: By a content analysis of newspaper articles were identified main

challenges of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder present in

the media: lack of services reimbursed by the state, difficulties of inclusion in

mainstream schools, fear of the future because the lack of services for adults

with autism, unrecognized disorder in adulthood and cessation of financial

support received from the state, fight social prejudices, lack of information

on autism, incorrect or delayed diagnosis or financial difficulties. From this

research result some practical implications, such as widening the range of

free services for people with autism spectrum disorders and public awareness

about the problems of this category of persons.

Key words: autism; media content analysis; the rights of children with

autism spectrum disorder; services for persons with autism spectrum

disorder.

1 Faculty of Philosophy and Social-Political, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi.

1. Introduction

The numerous studies have shown that

raising a child with a disability is a

challenge for parents. Neely-Barnes and

Dia [17] conducted a literature review on

research on the families of children with

disabilities, which revealed that parents

allocate more time, emotional and financial

resources for this group of children than

for typical children in order to provide care

to them. For this reason, mothers are

particularly prone to stress and depression.

In particular, children's behavioural

disorders predict a negative impact on the

family.

Literature shows that, of all the

disabilities, autism is one of the biggest

challenges for parents. Autism is a

complex developmental disorder with a

neurobiological character, characterized by

problems of communication and relating to

others as well as interests, activities and

behaviours that are restricted, repetitive

and stereotypical. There has been no cure

for autism so far, equal opportunities for

children with autism spectrum disorder

(ASD) consist in starting as early as

possible a therapy that should develop the

communication, social, behavioural and

academic skills and prevent the repetitive

and maladjustment behaviours. In addition,

the diagnostic criteria are related to

behavioural descriptions and no medical

test can determine exactly whether a

person with ASD not, as in the case of the

Down syndrome. This creates greater

maternal stress, depressive symptoms and