Lindsay Page

SE 5570
Article 2-Families
9/22/16
Whitehead et al. researched the impacts on the mental health of
parents and guardians of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The
authors found that, unsurprisingly, caregivers (family) of children with ASD
were prone to have various mental health issues. Their study looked closely
at the effects of psychological distress and resilience.
The study was comprised of 438 female caregivers with the average
age of 39.3. The study uncovered that 18% of the participants suffered from
severe depressive states, 23% had high anxiety, and 22% of people
surveyed had severe tension and stress (Whitehead et al., 2015, p. 705-706;
709). Subjects were surveyed using a battery of self-reported tests and
evaluations (DASS-21, CD-RISC-25, DBC-P24, LCB, Brief COPE, SSI, and SOS).
The researchers cast a net out to 45 ASD organizations to recruit caregivers
participation in this study.
The results of the study were not surprising. According to the DASS-21,
stress ranked highest, followed by depression and anxiety. The researchers
surveyed participants about their coping mechanisms (resilience). The Brief
COPE results showed acceptance as the highest ranking coping mechanism,
followed by planning, active-coping, and positive reframing. The test looked
at other coping mechanisms, but the highest results trended towards the
healthier behaviors of coping (Whitehead et al., 2015, p. 709).

Whitehead et al. (2015) cite the recommendation of Sawyer et al.

(2010):
In order to effectively support primary care givers in
implementing ASD interventions with their diagnosed child,
therapists need to consider the mental health needs of these
parents, step-parents, and grandparents (p. 713).
While this study was not ground-breaking, I find it valuable not only for
therapists, but for educators as well. I think at times we forget just how much
stress parents can be (and are) under. We, as teachers, may spend many
hours with these children, but parents and caregivers are the ones that live
with the child. We can help support these parents and caregivers by
providing positive coping mechanisms and access to community resources.
On a weekly basis I interact with the caregivers of students with ASD.
Many times, these caregivers are at their wits-end. They are concerned with
their childs transition into the semester and are trying to ensure their child
gets what they need to be successful. These conversations can be very
taxing. After reading this article, I am more cognizant of the caregivers
struggle, and more empathetic to their situation.

References
Whitehead, K., Dorstyn, D., & Ward, L. (2015). Psychological Adjustment in
Families Affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Developmental
and Physical Disabilities J Dev Phys Disabil, 27(5), 703-717.
doi:10.1007/s10882-015-9446-0