Short report: Social support access among single caregivers with children on the autism spectrum.

BACKGROUND: Caregivers of children with autism are more likely to experience parenting stress than parents of neurotypical children. Research on parenting stress focuses on partnered caregivers and little is known about the comparative social support experienced by single caregivers. AIM: To explore differences in perceived social support between single versus partnered caregivers of adolescent and adult children on the autism spectrum. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A cross-sectional, quantitative study using the ENRICHD Social Support Instrument (ESSI) as a measure of perceived social support. Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to examine the association between caregiver relationship status and perceived social support. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: There were statistically significant associations between relationship status and perceived social support, with single caregivers perceiving less social support than partnered caregivers (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Single caregivers of adolescent and adult children on the autism spectrum perceive less social support than partnered caregivers. Service providers should routinely evaluate the support access of this single caregivers and target support services to address the distinct needs of this population.

Comparing Perspectives Between Different Agency Structures and Support Models.

The roles and responsibilities of direct support professionals (DSPs) are evolving. This qualitative study explores how DSPs perceive their role and explores those perceptions across DSPs working in traditional, intermediate, and innovative agencies, as defined for the study. Examining 440 DSP survey responses and interviews with 24 DSPs, we found that DSPs working in more individualized settings tended to have expanded role functions (focused on promoting self-determination and community engagement). DSPs working in more traditional settings tended to have more care-focused role functions (concentrated on activities of daily living, medication administration, and health and safety). The role perception of DSPs at intermediate agencies and role conflict due to competing responsibilities demonstrate a need to systemically transform future service delivery.

Direct Support Professionals' Perspectives on Workplace Support: Underappreciated, Overworked, Stressed Out, and Stretched Thin.

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce has experienced a multidecade period of disinvestment in the field leading to DSPs being in high demand, while efforts to recruit, train, and retain these professionals pose challenges. To gain a better understanding of the needs of DSPs themselves, 440 survey responses and 24 interviews of DSPs were analyzed to understand what would help DSPs do their jobs better and ensure they feel more supported by their agencies. Results revealed six distinct support needs: (a) ensure quality participatory management practices, (b) provide fair compensation and recognition, (c) enhance access to training opportunities, (d) assure reliable and quality staffing, (e) adequately fund basic needs of both programs and people receiving support, and (f) maintain reasonable job expectations.

Perspectives on leadership in organizations providing services to people with disabilities: an exploratory study.

As leaders from the Baby Boomer generation prepare for retirement over the next decade, emerging leaders must be identified and supported in anticipation of a major organizational transition. Authentic leadership is a construct that informs the development of values-driven leaders who will bring organizations into the future, just as the previous generation of leaders oversaw the movement of services away from state institutions and into networks of community-based service delivery organizations. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine executive and emerging leaders' opinions about the unique leadership values, skills, and challenges in organizations that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Themes of defining, developing, and sustaining leaders emerged from the data and are explored through an authentic leadership framework.