The Costs of Caring for a Child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder

Fletcher, Paula C.; Markoulakis, Roula; Bryden, Pamela J.

doi:10.3109/01460862.2012.645407

Cited by 66 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Indeed, the demands associated with caring for a child with autism, which typically include, but are not restricted to concern over the child's future, financial hardship, social isolation, and witnessing the mental/physical decline of a loved one, far exceed those of parenting a neuro-typical child (Baker, Blacher, Crnic, & Edelbrock., 2002;Fletcher, Markoulakis, & Bryden, 2012). Perhaps unsurprisingly, relative to parents of neuro-typical children, parents of children with autism experience considerable psychological distress (Lovell & Wetherell, 2011), as well as alterations in disease relevant physiological processes such as such neuroendocrine (Seltzer et al, 2010), cardiovascular (Gallagher & Whiteley, 2012) and immune functioning (Lovell, Moss, & Wetherell, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Memory failures for everyday tasks in caregivers of children with autism

Lovell

Elliot

Liu

et al. 2014

Research in Developmental Disabilities

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The stress of caring for a loved one with chronic illness has been linked with impairments in cognitive processes such as attention and problem solving, though few studies have examined the impact on memory. Compromised cognition, in particular, aspects of everyday functioning such as remembering medical instructions and appointments, might affect caregivers' ability to maintain the consistency and quality of care needed by the child. A sample of 31 caregivers of children with autism and 51 parents of neuro-typical children completed an electronic survey assessing levels of psychological distress and everyday memory. Data confirmed that perceived levels of stress and memory failures for everyday tasks were higher in caregivers compared with the control group. Data also revealed a significant positive relationship between caregivers' perceived levels of stress and everyday memory failures. These findings might have implications for interventions that aim to improve caregivers' cognitive well being through targeting the psychological sequelae associated with the caregiving experience.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Memory failures for everyday tasks in caregivers of children with autism

Lovell

Elliot

Liu

et al. 2014

Research in Developmental Disabilities

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“…1 Estimates of ASD in pediatric populations have climbed dramatically over the past decade, with ∼1 in every 88 children currently meeting diagnostic criteria in the United States. 2 High prevalence combined with greater health care costs 3 and caregiver burden 4 associated with ASD intensifies the need to identify the etiology of ASD and develop interventions to remediate core and comorbid symptoms. Gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is frequently cited among children with ASD, and many causal and therapeutic hypotheses of ASD involve the GI system.…”

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confidence: 99%

Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis

et al. 2014

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BACKGROUND:In pediatric settings, parents often raise concerns about possible gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet the specificity of these concerns are not well studied. OBJECTIVE:To conduct a meta-analysis of research investigating GI symptoms among children with ASD. METHODS:We searched Medline, PsycINFO, and PubMed databases in peer-reviewed journals. Analysis involved studies with a comparison group presenting quantitative data on GI symptoms using combinations of terms for ASD and GI indicators. The systematic search yielded 15 studies. We calculated effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model. RESULTS:Children with ASD experience significantly more general GI symptoms than comparison groups, with a standardized mean difference of 0.82 (0.24) and a corresponding odds ratio (OR) of 4.42 (95% CI, 1.90-10.28). Analysis also indicated higher rates of diarrhea (OR, 3.63; 95% CI, 1.82-7.23), constipation (OR, 3.86; 95% CI, 2.23-6.71), and abdominal pain (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.19-5.07). CONCLUSIONS:Results indicate greater prevalence of GI symptoms among children with ASD compared with control children. Identified studies involved high methodological variability and lack of comprehensive data prohibited analysis of GI pathophysiologies (eg, gastroesophageal reflux) typically associated with organic etiologies, limiting conclusions about the underpinnings of the observed association. Future research must address critical questions about the causes and long-term impact of GI symptoms in ASD. Such analyses will require more systematic research and clinical activities, including improved diagnostic screening, standardized assessment, and exploration of potential moderators (eg, dietary restrictions).

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“…Furthermore, other aspects of life—social (Gray, 1993), health (Allik et al, 2006) and overall life/lifestyle (Sen and Yurtsever, 2007)—of families and caregivers (Fletcher et al, 2012) of children with ASD are negatively affected. In order to mitigate these costs, we must develop a better understanding of the neurological foundations of these diseases (Ajemian and Hogan, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anticipatory Planning in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Assessment of Independent and Joint Action Tasks

Scharoun

Bryden

2016

Front. Integr. Neurosci.

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders. Although not a diagnostic feature, motor impairments have been recently acknowledged as prevalent and significant, such that these children have difficulties planning, organizing and coordinating movements. This study aimed to further investigate anticipatory motor planning in children with ASD by means of assessing end- and beginning-state comfort, considering inconsistent reports of end-state comfort in independent action, and the study of beginning-state comfort being limited to one study with young adults. Five- to eleven-year-old children with ASD, and chronologically age- and sex-matched typically-developing children picked-up a glass and: (1) poured a cup of water; and (2) passed it to the researcher to pour a cup of water. End-state comfort was deemed evident if participants grasped the glass thumb-down followed by a 180° rotation; therefore ending with a thumb-up posture. Beginning-state comfort was deemed evident if participants passed the glass to the researcher oriented upright. Findings revealed less end-state comfort in children with ASD, attributed to motor planning deficits. Beginning-state comfort did not differ, ascribed to the habitual nature of the task; therefore reflecting a stimulus-driven response as opposed to an action which reflects anticipatory planning. The findings support difficulties with motor planning and control for children with ASD in an independent task. However, when acting with a familiar object in joint action, behavior does not differ, likely indicative of a habitual, stimulus-driven response.

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The Costs of Caring for a Child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder

Cited by 66 publications

References 15 publications

Memory failures for everyday tasks in caregivers of children with autism

Memory failures for everyday tasks in caregivers of children with autism

Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis

Anticipatory Planning in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Assessment of Independent and Joint Action Tasks

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