Parents with Kids Who Have Autism

Autism in Kids

Introduction

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects roughly 1 in 59 children in the United States. While the exact cause of autism is unknown, it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Autism can cause a wide range of symptoms, including difficulty with social interaction, communication problems, and repetitive behaviors. Given the prevalence of autism, it is not surprising that it is often discussed in psychology courses. However, the topic of autism is also relevant to psychology courses because of the unique challenges that autistic individuals face. For example, autistic people may have difficulty understanding and responding to social cues, which can make it difficult for them to form and maintain relationships. In addition, autistic people may be particularly sensitive to sensory input, which can lead to anxiety and behavioral issues. Therefore, by understanding the challenges that autistic people face, students can gain a better understanding of human behavior.

The topic is also relevant to the field of psychology as a whole because it helps researchers understand how the brain develops normally. By studying how autistic brains differ from typically developing brains, psychologists can gain insight into typical brain development. In addition, research on autism can lead to new treatments and interventions that can improve the quality of life for those with the disorder. For these reasons, autism is an important topic of study within the field of psychology.

Literature Review

The study by Schnabel et al. (2020) focused on parents of autistic children. The recent study has shown that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) appear to experience high levels of psychological distress. The study, which was published in the journal Autism, surveyed a group of parents of children with ASD and a group of parents of typically developing children. The results showed that the parents of children with ASD had significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress than the parents of typically developing children (Schnabel et al., 2020). This study highlights the need for more support for parents of children with ASD. Parents of children with ASD often face challenges that other parents do not, such as navigating the educational system and dealing with behavioral issues. These challenges can take a toll on mental health, and it is important that parents have access to resources that can help them cope (Schnabel et al., 2020).

Likewise, Hickey et al. (2020) found in their research that parents of children with autism tend to have poor psychological well-being, high rates of parenting stress and also show depressive symptoms. This is likely due to the challenges associated with caring for a child with ASD, including the need for constant supervision, the difficulty of communicating with and understanding their child, and the financial strain of obtaining necessary therapies and treatments. In addition, parents of children with ASD often feel isolated and alone, as they may not have the support of family or friends who can relate to their experience. However, there are many organizations and resources available to parents of children with ASD, and seeking out this support can help to reduce stress and improve mental health.

Cooper et al. (2018) focused on psychological therapies for children with autism, showing that cognitive behavioral therapy can be adapted to meet the needs of this population. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of psychological intervention that is based on the premise that our thoughts, emotions and behaviours are all interconnected. CBT interventions aim to help people to identify and then change negative patterns of thinking and behavior in order to improve their mental health. Cooper et al. (2018) note that a number of studies have shown that CBT can be an effective treatment for mild-moderate anxiety and depression in both neurotypical and autistic populations. In one study, participants with autism who received CBT showed significant reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms after just 12 weeks of treatment (Will et al., 2018). Another study found that CBT was effective in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms in autistic children aged 7-12 years (Cooper et al., 2018). The efficacy of CBT in treating co-occurring mental health problems in autistic people highlights the importance of developing tailored psychological interventions for this population. Additionally, there is an important note on this topic: Booth et al. (2018) show in their study that to educate kids with autism, one has to start with the parents: by educating the parents first teachers can make great strides in educating their autistic children.

Discussion

This research adds an important piece to the puzzle of understanding ASD. It suggests that stress may be one of the environmental factors that contributes to the development of the disorder. Moreover, it highlights the importance of providing support to parents and children who are under stress. By reducing stress levels, we may be able to reduce the risk of ASD.

Additionally, for kids with autism, CBT can help them to develop social skills and improve communication. It can also help parents to learn how to better support their child's needs. In addition, CBT has been shown to reduce repetitive behaviors in people with autism. While CBT is not a cure for autism, it can help to improve symptoms and make everyday life more manageable.

The most interesting finding, however, is that early intervention and evidence-based educational practices have been shown to greatly improve the quality of life for those affected by the disorder of autism; however, many parents of children with ASD are not aware of these effective treatments (Booth et al., 2018). This lack of awareness can be attributed to a number of factors, including the fact that ASD is often not diagnosed until after the age of four, when many parents have already come to accept their child’s developmental delays as permanent. In addition, many professionals who work with children with ASD do not receive adequate training on evidence-based practices. As a result, they are unable to effectively educate parents about these treatments. The solution to this problem is twofold: First, professionals who work with children with ASD must be better trained on evidence-based practices. Second, parents of children with ASD must be made aware of these treatments early on in their child’s development.