Mothers Of Autistic Children Research Articles

AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE PARENTAL DOSHA PRAKRITI OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN

Prakriti refers to the genetically determined physical and mental constitution of an individual. Autism is a lifelong disability identified by impaired communication, social interaction and repetitive behaviours. The genetic, envi- ronmental and immunological factors play an important role in generating autism. Genetic factors are more pre- dominant in autism pathogenesis than the environmental factors that would modulate the phenotype. Until now, no interventions have proven widely effective in providing complete relief to autism. Therefore, the prevention of autism needs supreme attention. To a greater extent, prakriti of an individual can determine proneness to particu- lar diseases. To assess the prakriti of both parents of 30 diagnosed cases of autistic children attending the OPD and IPD of Govt. Ayurveda College, Kannur were randomly selected. They are subjected to detailed history taking based on specially prepared proforma and assessments were recorded. Their prakriti assessment was done using a validated computer-assisted questionnaire software Ayusoft developed by C-DAC Pune. The data was statistically analysed. In this study, Vata pitta prakriti was significantly seen in mothers of autistic children. Keywords: Prakriti, Autism

Comparison of Mental Health, Stress and Coping Methods in Mothers of Children with/without Autism in Ahvaz

Background: The existence of an autistic child causes much mental burden and concern for parents and disrupts their normal functioning in both home and society. Objectives: The present study seeks to compare mental health, stress, and coping styles in mothers of children with/without autism in Ahvaz. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 120 samples of all mothers of children with/without autism in Ahvaz. Actually, from the statistical population of the study, 120 (60 mothers with autistic children and 60 mothers with normal children) were selected using the convenience sampling method. After explaining the objectives of the research to the participants and obtaining a consent form, the questionnaire was answered by them. Stress Questionnaire, Mental Health Questionnaire, and Coping Strategies Questionnaire were used for data collection. Data were analyzed both descriptively and inferentially (MANOVA and ANOVA) using the SPSS version 21. Results: The results indicate a significant difference between mental health (F = 342.14, P < 0.001), stress (F = 10.71, P < 0.001), and coping styles (F = 156, P < 0.001) regarding the mothers of autistic/non-autistic children. There is also a significant difference between the avoidance coping strategies (F = 143.12, P < 0.001) used by mothers of children with/without autism in Ahvaz. Conclusions: As the results showed, mothers of normal children were significantly different from mothers of autistic children in using avoidance-oriented coping styles. We can use the findings of this study in clinical situations in order to help mothers with autistic children to reduce their stress, so they can control their lives better with less stress, and this way, the quality of their lives will be higher.

Mid-gestation cytokine profiles in mothers of children affected by autism spectrum disorder: a case\u2013control study

Autism Spectrum disorder is one of the commonest and most important neurodevelopmental conditions affecting children today. With an increasing prevalence and an unclear aetiology, it is imperative we find early markers of autism, which may facilitate early identification and intervention. Alterations of gestational cytokine profiles have been reported in mothers of autistic children. Increasing evidence suggests that the intrauterine environment is an important determinant of autism risk. This study aims to examine the mid-gestational serum cytokine profiles of the mothers of autistic children from a well-characterised birth cohort. A nested sub-cohort within a large mother–child birth cohort were identified based on a confirmed multi-disciplinary diagnosis of autism before the age 10 years and neuro-typical matched controls in a 2:1 ratio. IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A, GMCSF and TNFα were measured in archived maternal 20-week serum using MesoScale Diagnostics multiplex technology and validation of our IL-17A measurements was performed using an ultrasensitive assay. From a cohort of 2137 children, 25 had confirmed autism before 10 years and stored maternal serum from mid-gestation. We examined the sera of these 25 cases and 50 matched controls. The sex ratio was 4:1 males to females in each group, and the mean age at diagnosis was 5.09 years (SD 2.13). We found that concentrations of IL-4 were significantly altered between groups. The other analytes did not differ significantly using either multiplex or ultra-sensitive assays. In our well-characterised prospective cohort of autistic children, we confirmed mid-gestational alterations in maternal IL-4 concentrations in autism affected pregnancies versus matched controls. These findings add to promising evidence from animal models and retrospective screening programmes and adds to the knowledge in this field.

Logotherapy to improve parent-child relationship among mothers of autistic children: a randomized clinical trial.

Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by three characteristics: impairment in the quality of social relationships, severe impairment in communication, and restricted, repetitive behavioral patterns. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of logotherapy on the parent-child relationship among mothers of autistic children. This research is a clinical trial with pre-test, post-test design, and control group. Forty mothers were selected and randomly assigned into two groups of intervention and control. The intervention group attended 10 sessions (90 min) of logotherapy, twice a week, while the control group received the routine intervention. A mother-child relationship evaluation questionnaire was used to collect data. SPSS statistical software was employed to analyze the data. The results showed that group logotherapy training affects the parent-child relationship in mothers of autistic children. We only examined the relatively short-term effects of logotherapy on parents' and children's outcomes because after the children's school year ended, their mothers did not refer to the center. In order to achieve accurate results, we recommend examining the long-term effects of this approach in future studies. Logotherapy is an effective approach to improve the parent-child relationship in mothers of autistic children.

Quality of life, stress and burnout of mothers of autistic children – the case of Latvia

Abstract Background Caring for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) demands constant parental attention to all life activities. Mothers of children with ASD experience higher stress levels comparing to mothers of developmentally intact children. That can increase parental burnout, and inversely affect their quality of life (QOL). In addition, those living in East Europe suffer from lack of appropriate support. The study aims to investigate the association between stress, burnout and QOL among Latvian mothers of ASD children. Methods Mothers of ASD children (N = 76) were enrolled in the study using Internet platforms. We used Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Shirom-Melamed Burnout Scale (SMBS), and World Health Organization QOL (WHOQOL) questionnaires, and assessed socio-demographic data. Multiple logistic regression models adjusted for personal covariates were built for the association between PSS, SMBS and WHOQOL. Results Most of respondents were married (56.6%) 30-39 years old (52.6%), having male (84.2%) 6-10 years old (52.6%) children with ASD. Mean PSS and SMBS were 3.31±0.63 and 6.04±1.63, respectively. Strong significant correlation (rs = 0.75, p < 0.01) was found between PSS and SMBS, therefore, only SMBS was included in regression model. In fully adjusted multiple logistic regression model, better QOL was inversely associated with SMBS (odds ratio, OR = 0.35 [95% confidence interval 0.19; 0.62]), single family status (OR = 0.43 [0.20; 0.92]), and unemployed status of mother (OR = 0.12 [0.03; 0.50]), but not with age of mother and of the child. Conclusions Mothers of ASD children in East Europe are in high risk of stress, burnout and bad QOL, as the diagnostics and care for ASD children in these countries is insufficient, and support for their parents is not provided at the state level. Raising awareness of policy makers and public health authorities may help to improve this situation. Key messages Mothers of ASD children in East Europe should be treated at the state level to reduce their burnout and improve QOL. Raising awareness of policy makers and public health authorities may help to improve the situation of mothers of ASD children.

Psychological Stress Among Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Down Syndrome in the City of Kufra

Having a baby is a huge responsibility. It often happens that mothers, especially when they are having their first baby, feel stressed and incompetent in their role as mothers even as their children normally grows. The purpose of this article is to identify the general features of psychological stress among mothers of autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome and to identify the differences and relationship in psychological stress between mothers of autism and down syndrome. In this study participated a group of mothers with children who have autism (n = 44) and mothers of children with Down syndrome (n = 44). The findings made proved that the general features of psychological stress are high Among mothers of autistic children, while it was low among mothers of Down syndrome, there were also statistically significant differences in the level of psychological stress between mothers of autism and Down syndrome, and a correlation was found between mothers of autism and Down syndrome at the level of significance (0.01).

A influência do diagnóstico de autismo na trajetória profissional das mães da Grande Florianópolis

As Mulheres que se tornam mães e se deparam com o diagnóstico de autismo dos filhos, tem que adequar a vida à uma nova realidade. Dentro dessa mudança, inclui-se o assunto carreira profissional, no qual podem ou não interrompê-la ou até mesmo mudá-la em função da situação. Diante do exposto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi o de compreender a influência do diagnóstico de autismo do filho sobre a trajetória profissional das mães pertencentes à região da Grande Florianópolis. No que tange à metodologia, informa-se que foi um estudo aplicado, exploratório e quantitativo. Como estratégia de coleta de dados, utilizou-se de um questionário com 76 questões, sendo o mesmo enviado para 379 mães de autistas. O contingente de respondentes foi compatível com a amostra mínima projetada. Os resultados mostraram os perfis e as mudanças ocorridas após o recebimento do diagnóstico dos filhos o que, ao final, permitiu-se a identificação de similaridades e disparidades das trajetórias profissionais destas mulheres, o que permitiu o entendimento de suas escolhas.

“I Paused My Life”: Experiences of Single Mothers Caring for Their Autistic Children in Ghana

Care provision by single mothers to autism children in traditional communities in Ghana is widespread. As care for children is generally a challenging task, single mothers with autistic children face a double challenge because they have to give extra care and attention solely. Consequently, this study explores the experiences of single mothers caring for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to help pinpoint prevailing setbacks to draw practice implications. Evidence was collected through semi-structured qualitative interviews with 15 single mothers in Kumasi, Ghana. Narratives were analyzed thematically following the reflective thematic analysis procedures. The study identified stigmatization and rejection, financial strains and stagnation of social life as predisposing challenges experienced by single mothers of autistic children. The study suggests the need to sensitize people not to reject families with the condition as it is medical and not superstitious. The study also stresses the need for state interventions including enrolling poor mothers with autistic children into state programs like the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty Program (LEAP). The study suggests that further research is needed to solicit the views of the extended family members of women parenting autistic children on the best ways to overcome the challenges identified in this article.

ОТНОШЕНИЕ К РЕБЕНКУ И СЕМЕЙНОЙ РОЛИ МАТЕРЕЙ ДЕТЕЙ С РАССТРОЙСТВАМИ АУТИСТИЧЕСКОГО СПЕКТРА И ДЕТЕЙ С НАРУШЕНИЯМИ РЕЧИ

The paper presents the results of a comparative study of the attitude towards a child and the family role of mothers of autistic children and children with speech disorders, obtained by the parental attitude (ORO) and parental attitudes (PARI) diagnostics. The study identified that mothers of children with disabilities had common features distinguishing them from mothers of neurotypical children: a more negative attitude towards the family role, the desire to limit extrafamilial influences, excessive emotional concentration on a child, emotional distance, and predominance of desire to accelerate child development over the desire to develop the activity of a child. Correlation analysis showed the reliable correlation between the indicators of ORO and PARI methods: between child acceptance and the optimal emotional contact, between the symbiosis and the attitude to the family role. Within the group of autistic children's mothers, the symbiosis indicator reliably correlated with signs of protecting a child and accelerating the development of a child. The study revealed a reliable correlation between the cooperation indicator and the optimal emotional contact only for groups of mothers of children with speech disorders and children with neurotypical development. In the group of autistic children mothers, the authors identified a negative correlation between the cooperation indicator and the indicators of emotional distance, emotional concentration, and attitude to the family role. In the same group, the tendency towards hypersocialization turned out to be the most profound correlation with the sign of mother’s dependency, the tendency to infantilize a child reliably positively correlated with the signs of will suppression, dependence on the family and reliably negatively correlated with the sign of equalizing relations. The study results became an important argument in favor of the need for specific correctional, and in many cases, psychotherapeutic help to mothers of autistic children and mothers of children with speech disorders. They confirm the facts available in the scientific literature and the new ones that revealed the specifics of their attitude towards the family role and a child.

Febrile Corona virus and Autism

Background: A number of reports have pointed to the apparent relationship between reduced IGF1 in pregnancies and the development of autism in the offspring. Fever due to inflammatory processes in the gravida emerges as a potential key factor in this phenomenon. Methods of Inquiry: Investigations have reported an increase in neonatal autism related to enhanced production of interleukins in some gravidas before delivery. The medical records of the mothers of autistic children were examined retrospectively for pertinent factors. Women who had endured infection-related fevers during their pregnancies were more likely to have delivered children with neurologic deficiencies such as autism and schizophrenia. Conclusions: Inflammatory occurrences such as with women infected by Covid-19 during pregnancy produce enhanced levels of cytokines, especially interleukin-6, which can disrupt IGF1-mediated neurogenesis and CNS circuitry formation in the neonate.

Parent training for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of behaviour therapy training to mothers of autistic children on verbal and non-verbal improvement of their children. A total of 33 mothers of autistic children were selected for training based on non-probability purposive sampling procedure. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Knowledge Scale was used to assess mothers' knowledge about autism and Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale was used for assessment of the communication skill in autistic children. This study revealed that behaviour therapy training significantly improved communication skills of children with autism by training mothers. The results of paired t-test revealed that trained mothers developed improved communication skills. These results showed improvement in communication skills of autistic children whose mothers were trained in behaviour therapy.

A Recreational Games Program for Decreasing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Mothers of Autistic Children

The current research aims to decrease post-traumatic Stress disorder in a sample of mothers of autistic children through a recreational games' Program. (8) mothers of autistic children with highest points on the Post-Traumatic Disorder Scale were recruited as a main sample for this research. The researcher used the Post-Traumatic Disorder Scale (by: Salah A. Ahmed 2019) for pre- and post-measurements. The Program was applied to the experimental group for (12) continuous weeks (from 7-12-2019 to 26-2-2020). Results indicated statistically significant differences between pre- and post-measurements of the experimental group on the Post-Traumatic Disorder Scale in favor of post-measurements. This improvement means that the recommended recreational games Program had positive effects on decreasing post-traumatic disorders in mothers of autistic children.

فعالية برنامج تدريبي لتنمية إدارة الذات لدى أمهات أطفال اضطراب التوحد

هدف البحث الحالي إلى قياس فعالية برنامج تدريبي لتنمية إدارة الذات لدى أمهات أطفال اضطراب التوحد، ولتحقيق هذا الهدف قامت الباحثة بتطبيق أدوات البحث والتي تمثلت في مقياس ادارة الذات للأمهات ( إعداد الباحثة ) والبرنامج التدريبي لأمهات أطفال اضطراب التوحد (إعداد/ الباحثة) على مدى (11) أسبوعا ، بمعدل (3) جلسات کل أسبوع ، للوصول إلى إجمالي عدد جلسات البرنامج (33) جلسة في الفترة من 1/10/2019 حتى 1/1/2020. وطبقت أدوات البحث على عينة من أطفال التوحد وأمهاتهم وبلغ عددهم (10) أمهات وأطفالهن من الذکور ممن تتراوح أعمارهم من 3-6 سنوات، أما فيما يخص الأمهات فقد تراوحت اعمارهن ما بين (25-49) وهن ذو مستوى اقتصادى، واجتماعى، وثقافى متوسط وملتحقين بمرکز حقي أتعلم بمدنية المنصورة التابعة لمحافظة الدقهلية .واعتمدت الباحثة في البحث الحالي على المنهج شبه التجريبي. وأسفرت نتائج البحث عن أنه : بالنسبة إلى مقياس إدارة الذات ککل يوجد فرق ذو دلالة إحصائية بين متوسطي مجموع رتب درجات المجموعة التجريبية لصالح التطبيق البعدي، حيث جاءت الرتب السالبة < الرتب الموجبة، کما جاءت قيمة Z= (2.701)، وهي قيمة دالة إحصائيا عند مستوى (0.05). وأيضا بالنسبة إلى مقياس إدارة الذات ککل يوجد فرق ذو دلالة إحصائية بين متوسطي مجموع رتب درجات المجموعة التجريبية لصالح التطبيق التتبعي، حيث جاءت الرتب السالبة < الرتب الموجبة، کما جاءت قيمةZ= (2.805)، وهي قيمة دالة إحصائيا عند مستوى (0.05). کما بلغت نسبة الکسب المعدل المتحققة للبرنامج في تنمية إدارة الذات = (1.14)، وهي أکبر من (1)، مما يدل أن البرنامج التدريبي الخاص بالدراسة يتسم بالقدر المقبول من الفعالية في تنمية إدارة الذات لدى أمهات أطفال التوحد. Abstract The aim of current research is to measure effectiveness of a training program for developing self-management among mothers of children with autism, and to achieve this goal researcher applied research tools that were represented in measure of maternal self-management (prepared by researcher) and training program for mothers of children with autism (preparation / researcher) over course of (11) weeks, at a rate of (3) sessions per week, to reach total number of program sessions (33) sessions from 1/10/2019 to 1/1/2020. The research tools were applied to a sample of autistic children and their mothers, who were (10) mothers and their male children aged 3-6 years, and for mothers , their age were between (25 – 49) years old , and they had a moderate economic , social , and cultural level and they are enrolled in Haqqi Center for Learning in Al-Mansoura City in Governorate of Dakahlia. The researcher relied in current research on quasi-experimental approach. The results of research found that: for the measure of self-management as a whole. There is a statistically significant difference between mean scores of experimental group scores in favor of dimensional application, where negative values <positive values, as well as value of Z = (2.701), which is a statistically significant value at level (0.05). And also for the measure of self-management as a whole. There is a statistically significant difference between mean scores for experimental group scores in favor of consecutive application, where negative values <<positive values, and value of Z = (2.805), which is a statistically significant value at level (0.05). The ratio of adjusted gain for program in development of self-management = (1.14), which is greater than (1), which indicates that training program for study is characterized by an acceptable degree of effectiveness in developing self-management among mothers of autistic children.

Involvement of Emotional Intelligence in Resilience and Coping in Mothers of Autistic Children.

In a context described as a challenge in parenting (having an autistic child), we sought to highlight the emotional skills that mothers gain as a result of interacting with their child, and how they then use these skills. Mothers of autistic children (n = 136) and mothers of non-autistic children (n = 139) responded to emotional intelligence, resilience, and coping scales. Comparisons revealed smaller differences between groups than expected. Nevertheless, mothers of autistic children showed greater resilience abilities than mothers of non-autistic children. Moreover, we noted differences between both groups regarding their use of emotional skills. Emotional intelligence is a resource that deserves to be explored in terms of its clinical implications, especially among the parents of autistic children.

The Effects of Recreational and Sportive Activities on the Quality of Life of Mothers with Autistic Children’s

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of recreational activities and sports on the quality of life of the mothers of autistic children. The population of this study is the mothers of autistic children living in Isparta. A total of twenty (20) mothers were chosen using random sampling method and split into control and application groups with equal number of samples (10). Mothers in the application group attended a fifteen (15) days program with 8 hours of specially planned activities per day. The activities consisted of nature walks, trips to historical and artistic sites and social tours (zoo, historical ruins, picnic etc.) as well as sportive activities (swimming). WHOQOL-BREF (TR) Quaility of Life Assessment Instrument was used as a pre-test before the study and as a post-test after the study for evaluating the results of the study. Results were analyzed using SPSS statistical analysis software. Mean rank differences of independent variables between groups and mean differences within groups were compared using a non-parametric test. The alpha level for Type 1 errors was 0.05 (α=0.05). The results revealed a statistically significant difference between the mothers of autistic children in the control and the application groups and the quality of life of the mothers in the application group increased (p&lt;0.05). There was no significant difference in quality of life of the mothers in the control group (p&gt;0.05). Therefore, specially planned recreational and sportive activities improved the quality of life of the mothers with autistic children. The fact that no significant difference was observed in the control group can be due to the community of the mothers’ daily workload.

The Experiences of Mothers Living with Autistic Children: A Qualitative Descriptive Phenomenological Approach

This study adopts a qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach to explore, analyze and document the experiences of mothers raising and living with autistic children. In doing so, the study recruited seven mothers of autistic children in Myanmar using a non-probability, purposive sampling method. Data was obtained through in-depth interviews and focus group discussion, and it was analyzed using Giorgi’s method. Six major themes emerged: loss of parental hopes and childhood significances, initial recognition and diagnosis, misunderstanding and assumptions about autism, mixtures of emotions experienced by the mothers, challenges in nurturing autistic children, and the mothers’ expectations about the future of their children. Raising and caring for an autistic child was challenging for the mothers as their children required constant care round the clock and for the entire span of their lives. Therefore, a comprehensive training in nursing is vital for these mothers. The findings of the study contribute to the literature on autism and forms as a basis for future research on this topic, especially on how living with an autistic child can have an effect on their siblings and other caregivers of autistic children using different approaches.

Desconstruções do feminino: uma leitura das postagens de mães de crianças autistas no Facebook

O rótulo mãe azul é usado como homenagem às mulheres que cuidam de filhos com transtorno autista. Porém, ao mesmo tempo que posiciona a mulher no papel de cuidadora, o rótulo também lhe designa o lugar da abnegação e sacrifício pela dedicação à maternidade exemplar. Fixadas no papel de mãe ideal, as mulheres ainda são classificadas como sujeitos reconhecíveis e aceitáveis socialmente pela correspondência aos valores morais ancorados no cuidado da prole. Este texto apresenta parte do estudo de caso realizado na pesquisa sobre as práticas enunciativas e comunicacionais em postagens divulgadas por mães de crianças portadoras do autismo, através da página Lagarta Vira Pupa, no Facebook, entre janeiro e julho de 2017. A análise, baseada na etnografia virtual, observa como as mulheres elaboram sua fala voltada à promoção da autonomia e autoafirmação, a fim de romper com a identidade feminina fixada na maternidade ideal, incompatível com a experiência cotidiana.

Anxiety and Interpretation of Ambiguity in Autistic Children, Typical Children and Their Mothers

Anxiety is highly prevalent in autistic children. Yet interpretation biases implicated in anxiety in non-autistic individuals have received little research attention in this group. Twenty-two autistic children and 25 typical children completed an ambiguous scenarios interview and questionnaire-based measures of anxiety. A subsample of mothers completed parent-report and adult relevant versions of the interview and anxiety questionnaires. Autistic children self-reported similar interpretations of ambiguous scenarios, and similar levels of anxiety, to their typical peers. In contrast, mothers of autistic children reported greater levels of anxiety, and more negative interpretations of ambiguous scenarios in both their children and themselves, relative to mothers of typical children. These data highlight the importance of including autistic children’s self-reports when measuring and treating anxiety.

Mothers of Autistic Children: Is the Burden of Care, Extended Time Spend and Money Constraints, Effecting Their Social Participation?

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between caregiving for autistic children and their mothers' social participation. It also evaluated the effects of three factors; time, finances and stigma attached to the disability upon social participation. Methods: Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit mothers of autistic children living in Saudi Arabia. A survey was conducted to collect data from 42 mothers of children with autism. Ordinal regression was used to examine the relationship between the social participation of the mothers of autistic children and caregiving and the other factors. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse demographic data. Results: We found that caregiving for autistic children had a negative relationship with the amount of mothers' social participation (significant at p<0.05). Moreover, social participation was affected negatively by factors such as time, finance and stigma. The most significant amongst them was time followed by financial constraints. Stigma was the least momentous factor. Conclusions: The social participation of mothers of autistic children in Saudi Arabia is negatively influenced by multidimensional and high care demands. This is further complicated by additional financial pressures, time constraints, and stigma associated with this disabling condition. Provision of a variety of social support programs and training, such as effective time management, adequate coping skills, and counseling services may help in overcoming these obstacles. This, in turn, may aid not only in improving social participation but also occupational balance, psychological well-being and quality of life of the affected mothers

Stres rodzicielski matek dzieci z autyzmem

The aim of the research presented in this article was to determine the level of parental stress among mothers of autistic children. Thirty-nine mothers of autistic children, forty mothers of children with Down syndrome as well as forty mothers of children with developing normally took part in the study. We used the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress (QRS, designed by J. Holroyd) to assess the parental stress among families of developmentally delayed children or children with intellectual disabilities. The results of the study indicate that, comparing to mothers of children with Down syndrome and mothers of children developing well, mothers of autistic children are the ones who experience the highest level of parental stress. Potential sources of coping strategies among mothers of children that suffer from autism are associated with relatively low stress levels as a result of disharmony within the family, personal issues, the child’s health situation and financial problems.