Prve tegobe i podrška/pomoć porodicama dece s poremećajima iz spektra autizma

Abstract

Introduction: Raising a child with ASD is a challenge requiring a significant involvement of all family members, requiring family members to educate themselves about the illness, as well as on health care and available support. Aim: To identify first symptoms of the child, the average age when the diagnosis was made, to evaluate the availability of additional support in education and social protection, and availability of additional help for their parents. Material and Methods: Survey was used as a method for collecting data, and respondents are parents or caretakers of children from the registry of patients with ASD diagnosis. The sample consisted of 223 boys and 58 girls ( in total 281). In the research we used a questionnaire developed by Amy Daniels and the national coordinators of the Southeast European Autism Network (Southeast European Autism Network - SEAN). Results: During the study, 281 parents were interviewed. The average age when the diagnosis has been made was 45.8 months (SD 22.4). The most common first symptoms were: 1) the problem of establishing eye contact during conversation or play; 2) the child did not understand communication; 3) difficulties in social interaction; and 4) unusual movements (walking on the toes, flapping hands, turning around). The three most common types of used therapies were: speech or language treatment 150 respondents (53.3%), pharmacotherapy 83 respondents (29.5%) and sensory integrative therapy 80 subjects (28.5%). Conclusion: Life with ASD should not be the problem only for the individual affected and his/her family, but also of the entire community. Support to people with ASD and their families implies the development of all services that can make their lives easier.