Autism Spectrum Disorder is spotted in early childhood and has a wide range of symptoms. These symptoms include communication, socialization and behavioral problems (Mays). Due to these symptoms, a child with ASD may have trouble relating to peers and making friends. Due to this, school curriculum and special education services need to work with them. Children with Autism often show behavior such as rocking, banging on objects, biting themselves and spinning (Mays). Children diagnosed with autism are often looked at by their peers as being socially awkward.
There has been an increase in the amount people with autism. Studies show that ASD affects 1 in every 102 children. It is growing at a rate of 9% to 15% per year (Meadan). Autism is becoming more and more widespread in today’s society. Males are being affected 4 times higher than females (Meadan). However, ASD also affects families as well. Every Parents worse nightmare is to give birth to a child with a disability. Though they have the joy of holding and loveing their baby, their life is suddenly changed (Hooyman). This produces feelings of stress and confusion. They have to adjust to a new lifestyle. Daily routines become harder, family vacations become much tougher to plan, and families find themselves no longer able to do some of the things they were able to do before. Mothers and fathers reported more stress when having a child diagnosed with autism (Hooyman).
Children diagnosed have to follow specific procedures in their everyday life. One study shows that parents have to rearrange their daily routines to make sure there child is constantly being cared for. Parents reported that it was easier taking care of there child in there own home as compared to being more difficult in unfamiliar places like a relatives house or out in the community (Autism Society). In unfamiliar places, parents did not have the tools needed to prevent problems that could set off the
Cited: Banach M. and Iudice J. 2010. Family Support and Empowerment: Post Autism Diagnosis Support Group for Parents. Social Work with Groups, 69-83. Dabrowska A. and Pisula E. 2010. Parenting stress and coping styles in mothers and fathers of pre-school children with autism and down syndrome. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 266-280 Hillman Hooyman N. & Kramer B. 2006. Living through loss: Interventions across the life span. Columbia University Press. Meadan H. Halle J. and Ebata T. 2010. Families with children who have autism spectrum disorders: Stress and support. 7-36. Orsmond G. and Seltzer M. 2010. Siblings of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder: Sibling relationships and wellbeing in adolescence and adulthood. The International Journal of Research and Practice, 80-90.