Childhood autism can significantly reduce a family's yearly income, and studies show that taking care of a child with autism can be expensive. Some families spend around $120 per week on expenses directly related to the education and care of their child with autism, impacting the overall economic well-being of the family.
Parents of children with autism face challenges such as lower parenting effectiveness, increased stress, and more mental and physical health issues compared to parents of children with other developmental disorders. Mothers of children with autism often experience higher levels of depression and less social support due to the time they dedicate to caring for their child and managing household responsibilities, leaving little time for leisure
activities (Begum 2019).
The relationship between siblings and their understanding of autism is not well understood. Since sibling relationships tend to be the longest-lasting, it's crucial to explore this connection, especially considering that in 73% of cases, siblings become the primary caregivers for their sibling with autism after their parents pass away (Martin 2017).
Various types of support, such as respite care, professional parent training, treatment, and self-help groups, can positively impact families dealing with autism. Having positive and supportive social connections can also help reduce stress for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (Begum 2019).
Martin, S. M. (2017). Relationships and predictions of marital quality and stress among African
American parents of children with and without autism spectrum disorder [ProQuest Information & Learning]. In Dissertation Abstracts International
Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences
(Vol. 78, Issue 6–A(E)).
