The effects of caregiver strain related to raising a child with ASD

Primary Faculty Mentor’s Name

Marian Tabi, PhD

Proposal Track

Student

Session Format

Poster

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The effects of caregiver strain related to raising a child with ASD

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by neurological and developmental deficits that manifest themselves as social awkwardness and/or inappropriateness. ASD has increased by 119% since the year 2000. It now effects one in 68 children in the United States. We believe that researching the strain placed on caregivers of children with autism is imperative because of the vast negative impacts that can be placed upon families without proper resources available to them. According to a 2012 study published in Clinical Child Family Psychology Review, approximately 85% of individuals with ASD present with cognitive and/or adaptive limitations that limit their ability to live independently, leading to the possibility that they will need some measure of care or assistance from their parents and families for the duration of their lives (Karst and Van Hecke, 2012).

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the emotional, physical, and financial impacts placed upon those caring for an Autistic child. We hypothesize that the caregivers of Autistic children are at an increased risk of being negatively impacted emotionally, financially, and physically due to caregiver strain. Our hope is that through this research, the medical community will be able to gain an insight into the effects on caregivers so that interventions can be made to improve their quality of life and ease the negative impact of the caregivers’ roles. The leading questions that we aim to answer are as follows:

  1. Are primary caregivers of Autistic children at an increased risk for emotional distress?
  2. Do primary caregivers of Autistic children suffer from an increased risk of negative physical impacts?

3. Do primary caregivers of Autistic children have increased financial responsibilities?

Methods

This study will be completed through surveys that will assess the aforementioned goals. The survey, in the form of an anonymous questionnaire will be administered via the Survey Monkey website. The data will be collected from interested parents/caregivers of autistic children.

Results

Data will be analyzed using IBM SPSS v23 for descriptive statistics. Data collection in progress. Results will be analyzed and available for presentation at the conference if abstract is accepted.

Conclusions

We intend to gain insight into the caregiver strain associated with caring for a child with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). The study findings will help to:

1. Identify risks associated with caring for autistic children.

2. Provide insight into how to prevent increased risks associated with being the caregiver(s) of autistic children.

3. Provide research for the study of interventions aimed at helping caregivers of autistic children.

Keywords

autism, health utility, caregivers

Award Consideration

1

Location

Concourse and Atrium

Presentation Year

2015

Start Date

11-7-2015 2:10 PM

End Date

11-7-2015 3:20 PM

Publication Type and Release Option

Presentation (Open Access)

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Nov 7th, 2:10 PM Nov 7th, 3:20 PM

The effects of caregiver strain related to raising a child with ASD

Concourse and Atrium

ABSTRACT

The effects of caregiver strain related to raising a child with ASD

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by neurological and developmental deficits that manifest themselves as social awkwardness and/or inappropriateness. ASD has increased by 119% since the year 2000. It now effects one in 68 children in the United States. We believe that researching the strain placed on caregivers of children with autism is imperative because of the vast negative impacts that can be placed upon families without proper resources available to them. According to a 2012 study published in Clinical Child Family Psychology Review, approximately 85% of individuals with ASD present with cognitive and/or adaptive limitations that limit their ability to live independently, leading to the possibility that they will need some measure of care or assistance from their parents and families for the duration of their lives (Karst and Van Hecke, 2012).

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the emotional, physical, and financial impacts placed upon those caring for an Autistic child. We hypothesize that the caregivers of Autistic children are at an increased risk of being negatively impacted emotionally, financially, and physically due to caregiver strain. Our hope is that through this research, the medical community will be able to gain an insight into the effects on caregivers so that interventions can be made to improve their quality of life and ease the negative impact of the caregivers’ roles. The leading questions that we aim to answer are as follows:

  1. Are primary caregivers of Autistic children at an increased risk for emotional distress?
  2. Do primary caregivers of Autistic children suffer from an increased risk of negative physical impacts?

3. Do primary caregivers of Autistic children have increased financial responsibilities?

Methods

This study will be completed through surveys that will assess the aforementioned goals. The survey, in the form of an anonymous questionnaire will be administered via the Survey Monkey website. The data will be collected from interested parents/caregivers of autistic children.

Results

Data will be analyzed using IBM SPSS v23 for descriptive statistics. Data collection in progress. Results will be analyzed and available for presentation at the conference if abstract is accepted.

Conclusions

We intend to gain insight into the caregiver strain associated with caring for a child with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). The study findings will help to:

1. Identify risks associated with caring for autistic children.

2. Provide insight into how to prevent increased risks associated with being the caregiver(s) of autistic children.

3. Provide research for the study of interventions aimed at helping caregivers of autistic children.