Post on 06-Jun-2015
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Autistic Children Parental Problems and Types of Effective Intervention
Portia StevensPSY492 CapstoneArgosy University
8/17/2011
Parenting a Child with Autistic Disorder is Challenging
Communication is limited
Parental frustration is increased
Medical/treatment bills pile up
Parents experience anxiety, stress and depression
What is Autism
Formally called Autistic Disorder One part of a group of developmental
disorders Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) (Bloch, Giarelli, Pinto-Martin, Levy and Souders, 2005).
People with ASD have limited communication and social skills.
Symptoms of Autism
Less eye contact when conversing
Inability to comprehend the rules of social interaction
Temper tantrums brought on by a change in routine or schedule
Literal interpretation of jargon such as chitchat
Abnormal body movements
Inability to read facial expressions
Cases are Increasing
In 2003, the California Department of Developmental Services reported a 634% increase in autism cases from 1987-2002 (Connolly, Novak, & Twoy, 2007).
Problems Caused by Autism
Physical Conditions Gastrointestinal difficulties
Loose stools Constipation Food selectivity
Difficulty with initiation and maintenance of sleep
Seizure disorders (Bloch, Giarelli, Pinto-Martin, Levy and Souders, 2005).
Problems Caused by Autism
Initial diagnosis causes a disruption in the family dynamic and “poses a great threat to the psychosocial well-being of parents” (Bloch, Giarelli, Pinto-Martin, Levy and Souders, 2005).
Mothers’ anxiety, stress and depression was found to be specifically related to their child’s behavior problems.
Fathers’ depression found to be related to the stress level of the mother (Brown et al., 2005)
Four Phases of Grieving
Phase 1: Shock and Disbelief Parents have an idea something is wrong but
do not want to believe it. Both parents seek various opinions because
they are in such disbelief.
Phase 2: Expression of Grief Sadness and anger Realization that certain hopes and dreams
may not happen (Elder & D’Alessandro, 2009).
Four Phases of Grieving Phase 3:
Disorganization and Despair
Parents feel “out of control”
Some parents seek additional employment
Marital and familial stress increase
Four Phases of Grieving Phase 4:
Reorganization Families come to
terms with their situation.
Parents gain a deeper level of spiritual faith (Elder & D’Alessandro, 2009).
Parents Need to Learn to Cope with:
Ritualistic behaviors
Getting more involved in therapy and educational decision making
Increased contact with professionals
Trying to find resources
Utilizing technical and therapeutic support (Connolly, Novak & Twoy, 2007).
Not All Know how to Cope
Some parents choose to simply deny or avoid certain stressful situations associated with Autistic Disorder (Carlson, Daire, Kimemia, Mitcham, & Munyon, 2011).
They could benefit from family counseling.
Types of Interventions
Parent-coached language
Pharmacological
Nurse practitioner
Transdisciplinary
Parent-Coached Language Intervention
Parents utilized speech generating devices (SGDs).
SGD intervention Helped children communicate
May have a positive affect on parental perception of their child’s language development
Child’s newfound capacity to communicate may alleviate pressure parents feel about lack of successful communication with their child (Romski et al., 2011).
Pharmacological Intervention
Medication is used to manage: disruptive behaviors self injury aggression compulsions hyperactivity mood swings anxiety sleep disturbances (Elder &
D’Alessandro, 2009).
Pharmacological Intervention
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
atypical antipsychotics
anxiety repetitive
behavior
irritability aggression self injury hyperactivity
Nurse Practitioner Intervention
Effective in relieving parental stress Parental stress decreased. Parents felt more confident in
their ability to care for their child.
Both child and parents benefit nurse practitioner has the
knowledge and skills to educate parents about the special needs and treatment options for their children (Bloch, Giarelli, Pinto-Martin, Levy and Souders, 2005).
Transdisciplinary Intervention
Parents and professionals from different disciplines meet and work together in assessing and planning treatment for the child.
Implications of treating the child in one location are that parents will have more time to focus on other personal and family needs (Carlson, Daire, Kimemia, Mitcham & Munyon, 2011).
Future Research Suggestions
Larger sample sizes
More representation of subjects of different ethnicities, cultures and socio-economic status in studies
Less reliance on self reporting methods and more focus on empirical studies and trials
ReferencesAbbey, D. (2009). Helping Families Find the Best Evidence: CAM Therapies for Autism
Spectrum Disorders and Asperger's Disorder. . Retrieved August 2, 2011, from
ebscohost.com:http://libproxy.edmc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/lo
gin.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&AN=43017181&site=ehost-live
Barker, E., Floyd, F., Greenberg, J., Hartley, S., Orsmond, G., & Seltzer, M. (2011). Trajectories of
emotional well-being in mothers of adolescents and adults with autism. Retrieved July 8,
2011, from proquest.com:
http://www.wfxsearch.webfeat.org/wfsearch/search
Bloch, J., Giarelli, E., Levy, S., Pinto-Martin, J., & Souders, M. (2005). Intervention pilot for
parents of children with autistic spectrum disroder. Retrieved July 11, 2011, from
proquest.com:
http://search.proquest.com/docview/199400483?accountid=34899
References
Brown, T., Francesca, D., Hastings, R., Kovshoff, H., Remington, B., & Ward, N.
(2005). Systems analysis of stress and positive perceptions in mothers and fathers
of pre-school children with autism. Retrieved July 10, 2011, from
proquest.com:http://www.wfxsearch.webfeat.org/wfsearch/search
Carlson, R., Daire, ,. A., Kimemia, M., Mitcham, M., & Munyon, M. (2011).
Examining distress of parents of children with and without special needs.
Retrieved July 8, 2011, from proquest.com: http://search.proquest.com/docview/864591247?accountid=34899
ReferencesConnolly, P., Novak, J., & Twoy, R. (2007). Coping strategies used by parents of
children with autism. Retrieved July 11, 2011, from proquest.com:
http://search.proquest.com/docview/212810828?accountid=34899 Davis, N., & Carter, A. (2008). Parenting stress in mothers and fathers of toddlers
with autism spectrum disorders: associations with child characteristics.
Retrieved July 7, 2011, from proquest.com:
http://search.proquest.com/docview/205284911
Elder, J. H., & D'Alessandro, T. (2009). Supporting families of children with autism spectrum
disorders: Questions parents ask and what nurses need to know. Retrieved August 2,
2011, from proquest.com:http://search.proquest.com/docview/199496692?accountid=34899
ReferencesKolb, M. J. (2009). An online training program for parents of children with
autism. Retrieved August 1, 2011, from proquest.com:
http://search.proquest.com/docview/62045699?accountid=34899
Romski, M., Sevcik, ,. R., Adamson, L. B., Smith, A., Cheslock, M., & Bakeman, R. (2011).
Parent perceptions of the language development of toddlers with developmental delays
before and after participation in parent-coached language interventions. . Retrieved
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