Nurses encounter many parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Both parents are under stress that ultimately impacts their health related quality of life (HRQL). Few studies assess the mediators of parenting stress on HRQL for both parents. This study explored the relationship of parenting stress, family functioning and HRQL for parenting dyads of children with ASD. Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) Transactional Model of Stress and Coping and Lakey and Cohen's (2000) Social Support Theory framed the study. Implementing a cross sectional, descriptive design, 387 parents (n=64 dyads) of ASD-affected children, from 46 states, completed web-based surveys. Demographics, the Feetham Family Functioning Survey (FFFS), Parenting Stress Scale: Autism (PSS:A), and the Rand 36 HRQL measure were collected. The FFFS discrepancy score (D), quantified differences between expectation and reality. The Rand 36 has a mental (MCS) and a physical (PCS) component scale. A non-parametric Wilcoxon test was used to compare fathers and mothers. Pearson correlation and linear regression were used to analyze relationships. Females' family functioning discrepancy scores between 'what is' and 'should be' family functioning were significantly wider than males, p=.002. The MCS of both parents and the PCS of female parents were negatively related to the stress variables and D scores. For females, higher care-giving stress was related to lower female PCS (p

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.

Written by psychologists engaged in research, teaching, and practice, Understanding Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities encourages a nuanced, contextually informed understanding of the development of individuals with developmental disabilities. This accessible book contextualises developmental disability across the lifespan and within social systems. It will help you understand the complex interaction between genetics, environments, and experiences, in relation to specific conditions such as ADHD, autism, foetal alcohol spectrum conditions, and Down syndrome. It also introduces you to the wide range of real-world applications of developmental disabilities research and to some of the current ethical issues around genetic screening and behavioural intervention. Key learning features include: Learning objectives Focus boxes that deliver additional helpful context Chapter summaries Reflective exercises and questions, to test what you’ve learned Recommended videos This book is ideal for students studying atypical development, developmental neuropsychology, and related subjects. Grace Iarocci is Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Lab at Simon Fraser University Jacob A. Burack is Professor of School/Applied Child Psychology and Human Development at McGill University, Director of the McGill Youth Study Team, and Scientific Director of the Summit Center for Education, Research, and Training Dermot M. Bowler is Professor of Psychology and a founder member of the Autism Research Group at City, University of London

Quality of life among children is a multidimensional construct that encompasses social, emotional, school, and physical well-being, and is influenced by both individual and contextual factors (Kuhlthau et al., 2013; WHO, 1995). The current study evaluated the quality of life of school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD) as perceived by their parent. To address limitations of previous work, global and domain-specific quality of life, variation across domains, and variation in ratings by the child’s age and gender were explored. Consistent with a bioecological framework, both individual (i.e., ASD symptom severity, maladaptive behaviours, adaptive skills, and grit) and contextual (i.e., parent mental health, sibling type, school type, reciprocal friendship, and leisure) factors were assessed in predicting quality of life. In addition to direct relationships, potential indirect relationships between specific individual and contextual factors and higher quality of life were examined. Data were collected online, internationally, from 152 parents of children ages 8 to 11 years old with ASD. Global and domain-specific quality of life were found to be lower compared to published normative data. Physical quality of life was higher than social, school, and emotional quality of life and school quality of life was higher than social quality of life. Neither the child’s age nor gender was significantly associated with quality of life. Symptoms of ASD, maladaptive behaviours, and adaptive skills predicted social quality of life; maladaptive behaviours and adaptive skills predicted emotional quality of life; maladaptive behaviours, adaptive skills, and grit predicted school quality of life; and maladaptive behaviours and adaptive skills predicted physical quality of life. No support was found for indirect relationships. Implications for understanding and improving quality of life among school-aged children with ASD are discussed.

The Primer on Autism Spectrum Disorder provides a quick yet comprehensive overview of clinically-relevant topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for the medical or mental health student, trainee, or recent graduate who seeks efficient learning. Chapters are designed to give an overview of a topic area in real time while on a rotation; while studying for professional board examinations in primary care, pediatrics, neurology or psychiatry; or even during preparation for a presentation or discussion scheduled to occur the next day. The sections include Background and Diagnostic Assessment, Etiology, Treatment, and Other Care Delivery Services and Perspectives, with each chapter written by an internationally recognized expert in the field. The chapters on diagnosis and treatment are written from a practical "how to" perspective. Those on etiology are written with the clinician in mind. These clinically-focused chapters include one or more vignettes that present simulated patient cases designed to highlight teaching points related to each chapter's content area. The book ends with a chapter written by family members of individuals with ASD and another written by an adult with ASD that illustrate the human impact these disorders have on day-to-day lives, hopes, and dreams. At the end of each chapter, "Key Points" for summarizing the intended take home messages of each author/authors are listed.

The Primer on Autism Spectrum Disorder provides a quick yet comprehensive overview of clinically-relevant topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for the medical or mental health student, trainee, or recent graduate who seeks efficient learning. Aspects of diagnosis, etiology, treatment and care delivery systems are covered by leading experts. Clinical vignettes, highlighted Key Points, and illustrative photos, figures and tables are used to enhance the learning experience for the reader.

The aim of the book is to serve for clinical, practical, basic and scholarly practices. In twentyfive chapters it covers the most important topics related to Autism Spectrum Disorders in the efficient way and aims to be useful for health professionals in training or clinicians seeking an update. Different people with autism can have very different symptoms. Autism is considered to be a "spectrum" disorder, a group of disorders with similar features. Some people may experience merely mild disturbances, while the others have very serious symptoms. This book is aimed to be used as a textbook for child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship training and will serve as a reference for practicing psychologists, child and adolescent psychiatrists, general psychiatrists, pediatricians, child neurologists, nurses, social workers and family physicians. A free access to the full-text electronic version of the book via Intech reading platform at http://www.intechweb.org is a great bonus.