Section 1: Research Question, Background, and Rationale
Research Question: How does raising an autistic child affect the mental well-being of parents?
Background and Rationale
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), commonly known as autism, are a spectrum of lifelong neurodevelopmental disabilities that start during infancy and contribute to an impairment of communication and social conduct. Contemporary estimations of the prevalence of autism indicate that the disorder has been increasing. For instance, in the United States, approximately 1 out of every 110 children are diagnosed with autism (Rezendes & Scarpa, 2011). The symptoms of autism typify the devastating nature of the condition. Among the primary indicators are complexities in communication, behavioural and emotional impairments, challenges with social skills, and sensory dysfunction. Notably, the nature and severity of the symptoms could vary across those with the disability.
People with autism experience increase challenges. One of the concerns alludes to the incapacity and challenges that negatively influence the establishment of relationships with people (Ilias, et al., 2018). In most cases, autistic people are unable to formulate meaningful associations outside their family members. The prevalence of multiple challenges affecting both verbal and non-verbal communication demands increased modification to facilitate both learning and daily routines. The stereotypic conduct and motor movements of autistic children is substantially affected by self-simulations such as shaking, falling, hitting their head on something, tip-toeing, rotating, jumping, and other self-injurious actions (Al-Oran & AL-Sagarat, 2016). Given such factors, awareness of autism has increased in most nations worldwide. However, a crucial area is yet to receive significant attention despite its implication.
The understanding of the impact of autistic children on the parents is limited. Commendably, most reports acknowledge that the disability will have a significant impact on the financial and economic statuses of the parents. However, the moral and health burdens associated with caring for an autistic child are scarcely deliberated (Catalano et al., 2018). Primarily, from a moral perspective, caring for disabled children is associated with an increased burden, especially because it is an outcome that cannot be reversed. Consequently, coping with the situation can contribute to further pressures. Gona et al. (2016) note that there is scant information regarding how parents cope with the challenges linked with the condition of their child and the resultant emotional and psychological repercussions.
Research suggests that several elements could contribute to an increase in parents of children with ASD, including the understanding that the disorder has no cure, the childâs conduct, particularly socially inappropriate and aggressive conduct, and being confronted by antipathy following the unusual child behavior, especially among people that do not understand the condition. Al-Oran & AL-Sagarat (2016) also note that caring for a child with ASD mostly requires the allocation of extra time to meet the needs of the child, which is part of the many changes required in the parental role to accommodate the challenges.
Therefore, as part of the examination of the effects of autism, it is important to increase the understanding of the parenting stressors and the impact they have on the mental well-being of the patent. The insight acquired from such an investigation could contribute to an improved comprehension of the forms of support and probable interventions required by parents of children with autism.