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Autistic Children Parental Problems and Types of Effective Intervention Portia Stevens PSY492 Capstone Argosy University 8/17/2011

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This is a presentation on the problems of parents with autistic children and effective intervention strategies.

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Page 1: Autistic Children

Autistic Children Parental Problems and Types of Effective Intervention

Portia StevensPSY492 CapstoneArgosy University

8/17/2011

Page 2: Autistic Children

Parenting a Child with Autistic Disorder is Challenging

Communication is limited

Parental frustration is increased

Medical/treatment bills pile up

Parents experience anxiety, stress and depression

Page 3: Autistic Children

What is Autism

Formally called Autistic Disorder One part of a group of developmental

disorders Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) (Bloch, Giarelli, Pinto-Martin, Levy and Souders, 2005).

People with ASD have limited communication and social skills.

Page 4: Autistic Children

Symptoms of Autism

Less eye contact when conversing

Inability to comprehend the rules of social interaction

Temper tantrums brought on by a change in routine or schedule

Literal interpretation of jargon such as chitchat

Abnormal body movements

Inability to read facial expressions

Page 5: Autistic Children

Cases are Increasing

In 2003, the California Department of Developmental Services reported a 634% increase in autism cases from 1987-2002 (Connolly, Novak, & Twoy, 2007).

Page 6: Autistic Children

Problems Caused by Autism

Physical Conditions Gastrointestinal difficulties

Loose stools Constipation Food selectivity

Difficulty with initiation and maintenance of sleep

Seizure disorders (Bloch, Giarelli, Pinto-Martin, Levy and Souders, 2005).

Page 7: Autistic Children

Problems Caused by Autism

Initial diagnosis causes a disruption in the family dynamic and “poses a great threat to the psychosocial well-being of parents” (Bloch, Giarelli, Pinto-Martin, Levy and Souders, 2005).

Mothers’ anxiety, stress and depression was found to be specifically related to their child’s behavior problems.

Fathers’ depression found to be related to the stress level of the mother (Brown et al., 2005)

Page 8: Autistic Children

Four Phases of Grieving

Phase 1: Shock and Disbelief Parents have an idea something is wrong but

do not want to believe it. Both parents seek various opinions because

they are in such disbelief.

Phase 2: Expression of Grief Sadness and anger Realization that certain hopes and dreams

may not happen (Elder & D’Alessandro, 2009).

Page 9: Autistic Children

Four Phases of Grieving Phase 3:

Disorganization and Despair

Parents feel “out of control”

Some parents seek additional employment

Marital and familial stress increase

Page 10: Autistic Children

Four Phases of Grieving Phase 4:

Reorganization Families come to

terms with their situation.

Parents gain a deeper level of spiritual faith (Elder & D’Alessandro, 2009).

Page 11: Autistic Children

Parents Need to Learn to Cope with:

Ritualistic behaviors

Getting more involved in therapy and educational decision making

Increased contact with professionals

Trying to find resources

Utilizing technical and therapeutic support (Connolly, Novak & Twoy, 2007).

Page 12: Autistic Children

Not All Know how to Cope

Some parents choose to simply deny or avoid certain stressful situations associated with Autistic Disorder (Carlson, Daire, Kimemia, Mitcham, & Munyon, 2011).

They could benefit from family counseling.

Page 13: Autistic Children

Types of Interventions

Parent-coached language

Pharmacological

Nurse practitioner

Transdisciplinary

Page 14: Autistic Children

Parent-Coached Language Intervention

Parents utilized speech generating devices (SGDs).

SGD intervention Helped children communicate

May have a positive affect on parental perception of their child’s language development

Child’s newfound capacity to communicate may alleviate pressure parents feel about lack of successful communication with their child (Romski et al., 2011).

Page 15: Autistic Children

Pharmacological Intervention

Medication is used to manage: disruptive behaviors self injury aggression compulsions hyperactivity mood swings anxiety sleep disturbances (Elder &

D’Alessandro, 2009).

Page 16: Autistic Children

Pharmacological Intervention

serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

atypical antipsychotics

anxiety repetitive

behavior

irritability aggression self injury hyperactivity

Page 17: Autistic Children

Nurse Practitioner Intervention

Effective in relieving parental stress Parental stress decreased. Parents felt more confident in

their ability to care for their child.

Both child and parents benefit nurse practitioner has the

knowledge and skills to educate parents about the special needs and treatment options for their children (Bloch, Giarelli, Pinto-Martin, Levy and Souders, 2005).

Page 18: Autistic Children

Transdisciplinary Intervention

Parents and professionals from different disciplines meet and work together in assessing and planning treatment for the child.

Implications of treating the child in one location are that parents will have more time to focus on other personal and family needs (Carlson, Daire, Kimemia, Mitcham & Munyon, 2011).

Page 19: Autistic Children

Future Research Suggestions

Larger sample sizes

More representation of subjects of different ethnicities, cultures and socio-economic status in studies

Less reliance on self reporting methods and more focus on empirical studies and trials

Page 20: Autistic Children
Page 21: Autistic Children

ReferencesAbbey, D. (2009). Helping Families Find the Best Evidence: CAM Therapies for Autism

Spectrum Disorders and Asperger's Disorder. . Retrieved August 2, 2011, from

ebscohost.com:http://libproxy.edmc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/lo

gin.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&AN=43017181&site=ehost-live

Barker, E., Floyd, F., Greenberg, J., Hartley, S., Orsmond, G., & Seltzer, M. (2011). Trajectories of

emotional well-being in mothers of adolescents and adults with autism. Retrieved July 8,

2011, from proquest.com:

http://www.wfxsearch.webfeat.org/wfsearch/search

Bloch, J., Giarelli, E., Levy, S., Pinto-Martin, J., & Souders, M. (2005). Intervention pilot for

parents of children with autistic spectrum disroder. Retrieved July 11, 2011, from

proquest.com:

http://search.proquest.com/docview/199400483?accountid=34899

Page 22: Autistic Children

References

Brown, T., Francesca, D., Hastings, R., Kovshoff, H., Remington, B., & Ward, N.

(2005). Systems analysis of stress and positive perceptions in mothers and fathers

of pre-school children with autism. Retrieved July 10, 2011, from

proquest.com:http://www.wfxsearch.webfeat.org/wfsearch/search

Carlson, R., Daire, ,. A., Kimemia, M., Mitcham, M., & Munyon, M. (2011).

Examining distress of parents of children with and without special needs.

Retrieved July 8, 2011, from proquest.com: http://search.proquest.com/docview/864591247?accountid=34899

Page 23: Autistic Children

ReferencesConnolly, P., Novak, J., & Twoy, R. (2007). Coping strategies used by parents of

children with autism. Retrieved July 11, 2011, from proquest.com:

http://search.proquest.com/docview/212810828?accountid=34899  Davis, N., & Carter, A. (2008). Parenting stress in mothers and fathers of toddlers

with autism spectrum disorders: associations with child characteristics.

Retrieved July 7, 2011, from proquest.com:

http://search.proquest.com/docview/205284911

Elder, J. H., & D'Alessandro, T. (2009). Supporting families of children with autism spectrum

disorders: Questions parents ask and what nurses need to know. Retrieved August 2,

2011, from proquest.com:http://search.proquest.com/docview/199496692?accountid=34899

Page 24: Autistic Children

ReferencesKolb, M. J. (2009). An online training program for parents of children with

autism. Retrieved August 1, 2011, from proquest.com:

http://search.proquest.com/docview/62045699?accountid=34899

Romski, M., Sevcik, ,. R., Adamson, L. B., Smith, A., Cheslock, M., & Bakeman, R. (2011).

Parent perceptions of the language development of toddlers with developmental delays

before and after participation in parent-coached language interventions. . Retrieved

August 2, 2011, from proquest.com:

http://search.proquest.com/docview/868261335?accountid=34899