Symptoms and Behavior Problems of Adolescents and Adults With Autism: Effects of Mother–Child Relationship Quality, Warmth, and Praise

Abstract

Using a cross-lagged panel design, we investigated the impact of positive family processes on change in autism symptoms and behaviors. A sample of 149 co-residing mothers and their adolescent or adult child with autism was drawn from a large, longitudinal study. Maternal warmth and praise were measured using coded speech samples in which mothers talked about their son or daughter. A high level of relationship quality was associated with subsequent reductions in internalizing and externalizing problems as well as reductions in impairments in social reciprocity and repetitive behaviors. Maternal warmth and praise were also related to symptom abatement in the repetitive behaviors domain.

Mother–Child Interaction as a Window to a Unique Social Phenotype in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome and in Williams Syndrome

“…With respect to the child's engagement, clinical diagnosis and total behavior problems emerged as unique predictors and the total explained variance nests around 17 %. Taken together, these findings correspond with existing literature by showing that maternal attunement to the child's signals, the child's engagement and participation, and the behavioral symptoms and adaptive repertoire are all associated with socio-emotional development and the emergence of debilitating psychiatric conditions in healthy and at-risk populations (Feldman and Eidelman 2009;Gothelf et al 2007;Smith et al 2008).…”

Change in Autism Symptoms and Maladaptive Behaviors in Adolescence and Adulthood: The Role of Positive Family Processes

“…The quality of the parent-child relationship is an important factor for adjustment into young adulthood among families with typically developing children (Overbeek, Stattin, Vermulst, Ha, & Engels, 2007). There is growing empirical support that family processes are also predictive of outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the life course (Esbensen, Mailick, & Silverman, in press; McCarthy & Boyd, 2001; Smith, Greenberg, Seltzer, & Hong, 2008). …”

“…Findings from longitudinal studies suggest that parent behaviors can influence aspects of functioning among individuals with ASD, from early toddlerhood through adulthood (Baker, Neece, Fenning, Crnic, & Blacher, 2010; Baker, Seltzer, & Greenberg, 2011; Greenberg et al, 2006). Positive family processes, such as parent warmth and close parent-child relationships have been associated with improved outcomes for individuals with diverse developmental risks (Caspi et al, 2004; López et al, 2004; Smith et al, 2008; Tully, Arseneault, Caspi, Moffitt, & Morgan, 2004). There is a need to examine the impact of positive family processes and relationships on change in symptoms and behaviors among adults with ASD.…”

“…In a separate study, we examined the role of mother-child relationship quality, warmth and praise as predictors of autism symptoms and behavior problems among 149 adolescents and adults with ASD co-residing with their mothers (Smith et al, 2008). Using a cross-lagged panel design over an 18-month period, a higher quality mother-child relationship predicted lower levels of subsequent externalized and internalized behaviors as well as fewer impairments in reciprocal social interactions and repetitive behaviors and stereotyped interests.…”

Genetic Counseling in Autistic Phenotypes

“…After all, few other diseases can pose such a great threat to the family as these do, because autism www.intechopen.com is still seen as an intense "stressor" (Woodgate et al,2008;King et al, 2006). But when, for example, a better relationship is established between the mother and child, the autistic symptoms may reduce (Smith et al, 2008). As ASDs are related to a great need for care that directly affects the development not only of the individual but also of their families, the resources available to families must be evaluated very well (Montalbano &Roccella, 2009;Montes & Halterman , 2008).…”