AUTISM AND POTENTIAL FAMILY STRESSORS

The diagnosis of a serious disability brings many changes to the famil y of the newly diagnosed member. Each family copes in their own way to these many changes. This paper examines some of the effects that a di agnosis of autism may bring to the family and some of the potential fa mily stressors that the presence of such a youngster may present. Prob lem areas discussed include communication, bonding, early sleep patter ns, unpredictable behavior, difficulties created by changes in routine , splinter effects, respite, and financial matters. Each of these repr esent topics that are extremely important for professional awareness w hen working with families who have a young child with autism.