Child Diagnosis of Autism - How It Can Change the Family Life

Abstract

The article is about the role of the family in the education and formation of children and, especially, in the life and development of autistic children. It describes the problems their family is facing and the need for counseling to parents with autistic children. The reaction to finding the diagnosis of autism varies from one family to another and may encounter a large variety: from disbelief, anger, guilt, helplessness, devastation, surprise, or even rejection of the child, to understanding and relief when finally the parents have an explanation for their child behaviors. Early intervention is important in psychological sustaining of the parent, as parent involvement in the recovery of the child with autism has a determinant role in his development and in ensuring a high quality of life of the child and the life of the hole family. The response to a child's autism diagnosis varies from one family to another. The family goes through a variety of disbelief, anger, guilt, helplessness, devastation, surprise, or even rejection of the child, to understanding and relief. Early intervention is very important in the psychological support of the parent. Because any change disturbs the family equilibrium. A diagnosis of autism changes not only the life of the diagnosed child, but also the life of family members. All the resources are focused on the need of the child. Although each parent is different, after diagnosing the child with autism, all parents are overwhelmed by confusion, shock and denial. Parents' feelings can be influenced by how their children's situation affects different aspects of life -it has an impact on service, on social life and all their personal life. If we look at the family as a system and when a disturbing factor appears, all parts of the system are affected. The involvement of parents in the recovery of the child with autism has a decisive role in its development and in ensuring a high quality of child's life and family life.Keywords: autistic child, family, family with autistic child, problems caused by the emergence of an autistic child; problems with social interaction, communication, relationship problems between family members.