Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
This study aimed to understand how parents describe the most challenging behaviors exhibited by their children diagnosed with autism and/or ADHD, how those behaviours impact their family, and whether challenges are directly related to the core characteristics of these conditions.
Methods
A total of 258 New Zealand parents of children diagnosed with autism (n = 98), ADHD (n = 85), or both conditions (n = 75) answered an open-ended question about what child behaviour(s) provide the most challenge for their child/family’s life. Responses were coded into 13 domains.
Results
The areas of greatest challenge fitted with the core characteristics of the respective diagnoses, but the co-occurring group favoured greater challenges in the autism domain. Emotional dysregulation challenges were substantial across all three groups. A significant predictor of parents reporting challenges in the autism and internalising domain was a higher age.
Conclusions
These results have the potential to inform more targeted supports for children and families by considering what is important to parents.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
University of Auckland
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC