Parents and Siblings of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The presence of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has impact on members of the family. This study explored social, behavioral, and emotional characteristics and perceptions of parents and typically developing (TD) siblings of children with ASD, sibling relationship, and family satisfaction of parents. Of 21 families who participated in study, mother, father, and one TD sibling of school age provided demographic information and completed a series of questionnaires. The majority of parents and TD children showed positive adjustment, moderate level of family satisfaction, and satisfying sibling relationships. Various difficulties were recorded by a small percentage of participants, including high and clinically significant parenting stress, mothers with severe degree of negative emotional status, and a few TD children with externalizing and internalizing problems. The study provided preliminary overview of Greek families of children with ASD, which indicates that the majority cope well with the situation, but some family members could benefit from identification of related problems and professional intervention.