User:Sultanaljwiser/sandbox

Definition of ASD Child

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): “is the primary diagnostic consideration for individuals presenting with social communication deficits”. ASD children vary in symptoms but the common general symptoms could be having; Communication difficulties, Social impairment and repetitive, and stereotyped behaviours.

The family as a system 

Definition

In the contest of ASD and according to The Vanier Institute (1994) of the Family, they proposed that the definition of ‘family’ as a system when two or more persons combined together to have a child by birth, adoption or placement. These persons well share responsibilities in the case of adding new members to the family, physical maintenance and to care about each other, children socialization, having control on their members’ socialization, goods and services production, consumption, distribution, and finally show affection such as love.

System Theory

A number of theories were proposed in this contest, one of those general theory system known as Bowen Family Systems Theory, which was defined by Perry & Condillac (2003) as an emotional unit. The success of this system depends on all of the family members where a single member’s action can affect other family members. In addition, this affection can be by actions, thoughts or feelings which is explained as people live under the same emotional skin. People can react to expectations, distress and needs of each other by giving one another support and attention.

This system balance can be disrupted by the experience of the distress and stress of one family member which can influence other members of the family. A study suggested that the opacity degree about how the disability is caused correlates with family regularity level. A family with ASD child or children can cause constant stress on not only the parents but also caregivers, siblings and relationship with other members of the family. A family’s stress is mainly a result from antisocial behaviors connected with ASD, such as tantrum, self-injurious resulting in very low levels of family harmony.

Challenges families face with an ASD Child

It is agreed that raising a child whom is diagnosed with developmental disability might add different levels of stress on members of a family. Raising an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) child specifically can be a lot stressful due to the complex symptoms that identify ASD. The wellbeing of parents and caregivers of an autistic child is in threat. As they may experience feelings such as helplessness, anger, frustration, shock, failure and guilt. Include, caregivers may also face psychological problems such as depression and anxiety.

There are internal and the external challenges that are presented to parents with an autistic child. These challenges cause parents isolation due to fear from taking their child out to the public. These challenges are some of what parents may experience during the caring process of their ASD child. (1) financial and time given to medical treatment as they are estimated to be around three times more expensive than rising a non ASD diagnosed child; (2) social activities, restrictions, and changes in families achievements and goals parents need to be prepared extensively, for example, going to restaurants, to attend school while in sometimes the plans changed unexpectedly or when the challenging behaviour needs to be managed. One of the common transitions that families can face is the change in the caregiving, such as a start of a new school year, attending events and activities in public, during the holiday season, as well as summer camping; (3) the effectiveness and availability of supports having an autistic child is a lot of responsibility resulting in exhausting parents, it is always a matter of how effective a support is to the family;  (4) Dealing with challenging behaviors examples would be tantrums, aggressive behavior with others and repetitive behaviors; According to (Ludlow et al., 2011) research finding a lot of parents agree that (5) dealing with judgments from others is the most challenging behavior as people judge them as naughty child and underestimating parenting techniques. (Resch et al., 2010) states that parents face these challenges due to the lack of necessary environmental support.

Making families life “EASIER”

Families whom engage in both internal and external levels of interaction with their ASD child will deal successfully with stressful events. Those challenges make instant caregivers and parents of ASD child to do their best work to ensure and organise a propitiate programs and services for their individual. Meanwhile, parents sometimes find difficulties to organise and complete small activities such as; the daily routines of morning, meal time, grocery shopping and bed-time. This would need professionals to be involved in order to help a family cope and deal with daily activities successfully. In one hand, some difficulties can be faced by easy changes to present the tasks or to change the environment. On the other hand, some difficulties become sever especially when it includes aggression behaviour or behavioural self-injuries to others which needs a recommendation to do a good program as well as the consultation help provided by professionals. Moreover, families need to teach and support their ASD child the skills of communication, friendship encouragement, play and create relationships with others, and how to deal and anticipate with bully.

O'Brien and Daggett (2006) proposed that the response of ASD children is better when the prediction and structure of the daily routines are high. Once the parents learn and understand the need of establishing a structured routine, they would be able to reduce and be relieved from a big stress within the family. They also proposed some key roles that would help to establish the daily routine as following; firstly, to be prepared and ready for daily routine activities by making the long-time of waiting is less with the preparation they need for an activity before they do it as well as minimise the unstructured time amount by organising a structure for a free time with a number of activity choices. Secondly, get the attention of the child by using different strategies or to warn the child if there are any changes in the activities. Thirdly, make the communication more effectively. Finally, the explanation of what the child is expected to do or accomplish.

Conclusion

This assignment points out an overview of the challenges and stress families face in their daily lives with an ASD child, as well as providing a few aspects in making these family’s life easy and less stressful. Having a child with ASD is a life-changing event. In order to best meet their needs, many parents find that they have to be flexible and make accommodations in many other areas of live. �