Parents Of Children With Autism Pessimistic, Survey Says
A recent survey has found that parents of children with autism generally hold a more negative view of the educational resources available to their children compared to parents of children without disabilities. These parents are also more concerned about their children’s health, future financial independence, and support from their community. However, there are differences within the autism community itself, as parents of children with Asperger’s syndrome, a milder form of the disorder, tend to have more positive feelings about their children’s future.
The survey, conducted by Easter Seals and MassMutual Financial Group in collaboration with the Autism Society of America, was released today. MassMutual, based in Springfield, Massachusetts, provides financial and life-planning services to families of individuals with disabilities.
According to Lee Grossman, the president and CEO of the Autism Society of America, the survey results were not surprising, as there are significant unmet needs for individuals with autism and their families. Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by repetitive behavior and impaired social interaction. It encompasses various disorders on the autism spectrum, including Asperger’s syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), which refers to individuals who display some characteristics of autism but not all.
The online survey collected responses from 1,652 parents of children under 30 with autism and 917 parents of typically developing children between June 16 and July 17 of this year. The survey was able to differentiate between parents of children with autism, parents of children with Asperger’s, and parents of children with PDD-NOS for many of the questions. Unfortunately, no margin of error was provided.
About 70% of parents of children with autism expressed concern about their child’s education, in contrast to 36% of parents of typically developing children. Similarly, only 19% of parents with children on the autism spectrum believed that their child received adequate education to prepare them for life, compared to 56% of parents of typically developing children.
However, when analyzing the results by diagnostic category, it was found that parents of children diagnosed with autism were the most concerned, with 74% expressing worry about their child’s education. In comparison, 56% of families with children diagnosed with Asperger’s reported similar concerns. When it came to feeling adequately prepared for life, 18% of families with autism and 20% of families with Asperger’s held that belief.
The survey also revealed that approximately 50% of parents of children with disabilities reported that their children spent most or all of their time in special education classes rather than mainstream classes. For children with autism, this number increased to 64%, while it was 45% for children with PDD-NOS and 21% for children with Asperger’s.
Schools play a crucial role in the lives of children with autism, as they are often the first to identify and suggest further investigation into a child’s developmental disorder. Barbara Gaither, a parent who attended the release of the survey results, explained that schools are also the main source of services for younger students. However, she expressed concern about the lack of services for older children in middle and high school. Patricia Wright, the national director for autism services for Easter Seals, emphasized that the survey will be used to raise awareness about the challenges faced by parents of children with autism.
"The one consistent message Easter Seals hears from the families we serve, after the initial apprehension and anxiety of learning their child has autism, is an overwhelming concern about the lifelong supports their child with autism may need to be independent," she said.
Author
0