Autism Impact on the Family
Miriam Leah Waldman
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. “It is a result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain and impacts the normal development of the brain, in areas of social interaction and communication skills” (Bee and Boyd 226). Research from 2009 suggests autism now affects every 1 in 110 children. Having a child with autism affects the entire family.
Amongst the siblings there will be frustration and disappointment when a sibling shows no interest. After a while, she will probably give up trying to relate to him/her and focus their energy on other people. The sibling relationship may become one of sadness or indifference. Most children who have siblings with autism learn to handle the experience and show no major effects. There are special demands growing up in a household where a child has autism. Although some children learn to deal with these demands, others have greater difficulty. It can be viewed as a burden but it can be alleviated from the support of others.
Researchers have looked in greater detail over recent years. The siblings in the negative groups said they were worried about the future of the child and believed that the parents favored their autistic child over them. Children who viewed parents as responding positively and had a good understanding of the disability had a more positive relationship with their sibling. It is important to be aware that siblings of an autistic child may be afraid to ask questions or raise problems because they do not want to upset their parents or because they are ashamed of their own feelings of anger, jealousy or resentment. Some children may feel responsible for their sibling’s disability.
Researchers Milton Seligman and Rosalyn Darling (1997) point to several areas where siblings with autism may learn to cope .It is important to have communication to help bring the family
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. “It is a result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain and impacts the normal development of the brain, in areas of social interaction and communication skills” (Bee and Boyd 226). Research from 2009 suggests autism now affects every 1 in 110 children. Having a child with autism affects the entire family.
Amongst the siblings there will be frustration and disappointment when a sibling shows no interest. After a while, she will probably give up trying to relate to him/her and focus their energy on other people. The sibling relationship may become one of sadness or indifference. Most children who have siblings with autism learn to handle the experience and show no major effects. There are special demands growing up in a household where a child has autism. Although some children learn to deal with these demands, others have greater difficulty. It can be viewed as a burden but it can be alleviated from the support of others.
Researchers have looked in greater detail over recent years. The siblings in the negative groups said they were worried about the future of the child and believed that the parents favored their autistic child over them. Children who viewed parents as responding positively and had a good understanding of the disability had a more positive relationship with their sibling. It is important to be aware that siblings of an autistic child may be afraid to ask questions or raise problems because they do not want to upset their parents or because they are ashamed of their own feelings of anger, jealousy or resentment. Some children may feel responsible for their sibling’s disability.
Researchers Milton Seligman and Rosalyn Darling (1997) point to several areas where siblings with autism may learn to cope .It is important to have communication to help bring the family