Building Statewide Support for Kentucky Families of Individuals with ASD

Abstract

The recent data suggest that there has been a steady increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD; Centers for Disease Control, 2012). This lifelong disorder has significant implications for families as they face the complexities of supporting their family members with ASD. Fortunately, the research literature suggests that families can benefit from training and access to parent-focused resources. The purpose of this paper is to describe a model used by one university-based autism center to establish systems of support for families of persons with ASD.