Parenting Stress of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) experience more stress than
parents of children who are typically developing. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifetime
condition that involves persistent impairments in speech-language, social communication, and
restricted and repetitive behaviors. Bringing up a child with autism can be challenging for
parents due to the specific characteristics of autism. The present study was conducted to know
parenting stress and associated factors. The study included 82 parents of children with ASD
selected from different special schools and therapy centers located at Hubballi, Dharwad, and
Bengaluru city. A personal information questionnaire, Parenting stress scale, and Indian scale for
assessment of autism were used for data collection. The results showed a majority of the children
belonged to moderate (44.00%) and severe (41.50%) categories of autism. The majority of the
parents had clinical levels (75.00%) of parenting stress. The majority of the children had high
problems in relationship and reciprocity (85.15%) followed by emotional responsiveness
(78.05%), speech-language, and communication (65.85%). Child characteristics: younger age,
being non-verbal, lack of speech-language and communication, lower cognitive abilities, and
total Autism severity-induced parenting stress which can be reduced by providing intervention
programs through speech therapies, cognitive behavior therapies, physical therapies etc. Parents
should be supported by family members and society which help to reduce the stress caused by
caring for an ASD child.