The increased incidence of autism in children impacts families, educators, and health professionals. A descriptive survey design was used to obtain responses from parents of autistic children in public schools. Data collection instruments included The Social Support Index, SSI (McCubbin, Patterson, and Glynn, 1982), and The Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale, F-COPES (McCubbin, Olson, and Larsen, 1981). The majority of parents of autistic children perceived that they had support within their families and communities. One half of the families identified serious stressors in addition to autism. Acquiring social support and reframing were the coping strategies used most :frequently. The school nurse is in a position to provide support to parents of children with autism and special needs, and integrate coping and social support assessments into practice.

Autism in children has increased significantly in the past 15 years. The challenges and stressors associated with providing services and caring for a child with autism affect families, educators, and health professionals. This descriptive study used a survey to collect data on parents' perceptions of coping strategies and social support. Instruments included the Social Support Index and the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales. One half of the families identified serious stressors in addition to autism. Acquiring social support and reframing were the most frequently used coping strategies. The school nurse is in a position to identify needs and refer families to local support groups and agencies, facilitating social support and development of coping strategies.

Quality of life in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes is a growing area of interest in pediatric research. The complex diabetes regimen imposes challenges for an adolescent. Adolescents diagnosed with diabetes are a group that appears to be at risk for having a poor health-related quality of life. Although research supports the positive relationship of social support and well-being in adolescents, there are few studies discussing quality of life in adolescents that are based on the factor of social support. This study compared the quality of life in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes who have attended at least one diabetes camp to the quality of life of those who have never attended diabetes camp. Results provided evidence of the value of social support.

Quality of life in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes is a growing area of interest in pediatric research. The complex diabetes regimen imposes challenges for an adolescent. Adolescents diagnosed with diabetes are a group that appears to be at risk for having a poor health-related quality of life. Although research supports the positive relationship of social support and well-being in adolescents, there are few studies discussing quality of life in adolescents that are based on the factor of social support. This study compared the quality of life in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes who have attended at least one diabetes camp to the quality of life of those who have never attended diabetes camp. Results provided evidence of the value of social support.

Although job satisfaction has been widely studied among registered nurses working in traditional health care settings, little is known about the job-related values and perceptions of nurses working in school systems. Job satisfaction is linked to lower levels of job-related stress, burnout, and career abandonment among nurses. This study evaluated the level of job satisfaction among a convenience sample of school nurses practicing in California. The Index of Work Satisfaction (IWS) was the instrument used. Although the sampled school nurses rated autonomy and interaction as the most important and satisfying factors contributing to job satisfaction, the overall findings indicated that school nurses are relatively dissatisfied with their jobs.