RESUMO
In this study, the Double ABCX model of family adaptation was used to explore the impact of severity of autism symptoms, behavior problems, social support, religious coping, and reframing, on outcomes related to family functioning and parental distress. The sample included self-report measures collected from 195 families raising school-age children with autism from racially diverse backgrounds throughout the United States. Hierarchical regression results revealed that the Double ABCX model of family adaptation accounted for a substantial amount of the variance in family functioning (28%) and parental distress (46%). Findings suggest that child behavior problems and reframing are most strongly associated with family outcomes. Clinical implications for working with these families, including the use of strength-based approaches, are discussed.
Assuntos
Adaptação Psicológica , Transtorno Autístico/psicologia , Família/psicologia , Poder Familiar/psicologia , Estresse Psicológico/psicologia , Criança , Comportamento Infantil/psicologia , Diversidade Cultural , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Modelos Psicológicos , Análise de Regressão , Apoio Social , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Play and social abilities of a group of children diagnosed with high functioning autism were compared to a second group diagnosed with a variety of developmental language disorders (DLD). The children with autism engaged in fewer acts of high level play. The children with autism also had significantly lower social functioning than the DLD group early in the play session; however, these differences were no longer apparent by the end of the play session. In addition, a significant association existed between play and social functioning regardless of diagnosis. This suggests that play may act as a current indicator of social ability while providing an arena for social skills practice.
