This article introduces marriage and family therapists (MFT) to some of the common issues faced by families that have a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). First, autism is defined and common myths surrounding it are discussed. Next, relational challenges are presented that families report experiencing during early childhood through the elementary school years, adolescence and the transition into adulthood, and the later years of the family life cycle. Real-life stories are included to illustrate the potential contributions that MFTs can make to families that have a child with ASD.

The purpose of this article is to illustrate how theory and particularly the theoretical perspective of social constructionism can influence the ways in which scholars conduct qualitative research studies in the area of family systems. The authors argue for the importance of theory in qualitative research projects and promote researchers' clear and conscious articulation of epistemological and theoretical commitments taken during the research projects. Therefore, this article exemplifies some of these theoretical connections and elaborates on selected concepts embedded in social constructionism (e.g., socialization in context, dialogue, identity) and discusses how these concepts can be applied to qualitative family systems research. The authors address and exemplify the role of subjectivity in social constructionist research design and propose the use of focus groups as a suitable methodology for this type of research.

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This article presents an interventive, consultative method that is designed to elicit and to promote resource-based language between client families and their therapists. The reflexive interview process that this method entailed is described through case examples. Initially, resource-based language was generated from client interviews and shared in reflective dialogue with their therapists in a way that encouraged participants to consider different views and beliefs about themselves, each other, and their process together. Use of this consultative process in therapy added heightened awareness and respect for competencies possessed not only by the client families but by the therapists as well.