The present study defined the stressors that the participants, who are parents of children who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), experience in their day to day life, identified the participants' descriptions of their quality of life (QoL), defined main areas where resources are lacking, and examined the recommendations that the participants had for other parents of children who have been diagnosed with an ASD and social workers working with ASD families. The present study's findings provide that the participants identified themes that define their major stressors as their children's school system, lacking resources in the community and among their own family, financial implications of their child's diagnosis, parents' reactions to their diagnosed child's behavior, impact of having a child diagnosed with an ASD on family dynamics and worrying over their diagnosed child's future. The need of the participants that emerged in the present study were the need for the following: available resources, reconstruction of their child's education system, and financial assistance. The present study found that the participants' recommendations for other parents and social workers working with ASD families were that service providers need better ASD knowledge and that easy access to available resources must be created.

This handbook offers a comprehensive examination of wide-ranging issues relevant to adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Coverage includes a detailed review of such issues as psychiatric comorbidity, family relationships, education, living in different settings (e.g., group homes, community), meaningful and effective interventions, functional goals (e.g., social, language, vocational, and adaptive behaviors), and curriculum. In addition the book provides unique perspectives of parents as well as individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who have reached adulthood. Key areas of coverage include: Transitioning adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder from educational settings to vocational settings. Strategies that can help create independence for adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Effective approaches to address issues relating to sexuality for adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The effectiveness of early intensive behavioral intervention to help adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Handbook of Quality of Life for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder is an essential reference for researchers, professors, and graduate students as well as clinicians, therapists, and related professionals in clinical child and school psychology, social work, behavioral therapy and related disciplines, including clinical medicine, clinical nursing, counseling, speech and language pathology, and special education.

This book presents an international research-based framework that has empowered parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to become critical decision makers to actively guide their child’s learning and self-advocacy. Parents can use this framework to identify their child’s vision and dreams, and to work with educators and service providers to establish specific learning goals and to implement effective interventions and programs that enable their child to achieve those goals and realise their vision for the future. The book begins by reviewing available research on evidence-based practice for children with ASD and outlining the Cycle of Learning decision-making framework for parents and professionals. Throughout the remainder of the book, case studies are presented to illustrate the ways in which different parents have successfully utilised this framework to develop effective plans for their child and to advocate for learning and education programs for both their child and other children with ASD in school and community settings. In addition, it highlights concrete examples of how parents have used the framework to empower their children with ASD to develop their self-awareness and self-determination, and to be able to self-advocate as they move through adolescence and into adult life.

This book opens with a discussion of neurodiversity and an elaboration of the diagnosis of autism. It then examines factors correlating with autism, including sex bias, month of birth, migration and impact of infant feeding. The next section is on the impact of autism. The neurobiology and genetic section deals with epigenetics and intracellular pathways associated with etiology. The development and behaviour section deals with proprioceptive profiles and joint attention in autism. The final section focuses on interventions including mindfulness, animal assisted activity, social/cultural perspective on autism intervention and physical activity. The book is relevant to all professionals and researchers working with persons with autism, including psychiatrists/psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, teachers, nurses and care workers.

Through this clinical guide, practitioners will learn how to teach parents of children with autism spectrum disorder new skills and behaviors so that they can promote their children's long-term improvement.

To deliver services effectively, social workers need to understand the reality of the lives of both parents and adult children with ASD, as well as understanding the QOL and caregiver burden with which the parents are living.