Lamiya Panah Ahmadli-Shirinova

INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND THEIR FAMILIES

Abstract. When analyzing autism spectrum disorder and its impact on family stress levels, it has been found that having a child with autism spectrum disorder increases the stress level of the family. In fact, when comparing families with children with other developmental disorders, they have found that families with a child with autism have a higher stress level. The reason for this is that families of children with ASD face more severe stress factors. Several researchers, Marcus, Kunce, Schopler, have explained the most important of these factors and recommend that families receive support in these areas. These stress factors include the fact that the initial diagnosis period is very confusing, the family is not given enough information after the diagnosis, and therefore the family does not know what to do. There are some diseases that can be diagnosed at birth or even before birth with certain tests and analyzes in a short time. However, due to the uncertainty of the causes of autism spectrum disorder, this period becomes both long, confusing and difficult. This is very tiring for the family, both financially and morally.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, family, family relationships, psychoeducation, social support