Family Adjustment Across Cultural Groups in Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

This pilot ethnomethodological study examined perceptions of parents/caregivers of children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders concerning actions, norms, understandings, and assumptions related to adjustment to this chronic illness. The sample included 14 caregivers (75% Hispanic of various ethnic groups). Maximum variation sampling was used to compare participants on variables that were inductively derived via constant comparative methods of analysis. The following action categories emerged: "Seeking Diagnosis," "Engaging in Routines to Control behavior," "Finding Therapies (Types of Therapies)," "Finding School Accommodations," "Educating Others," "Rising to Challenges," and "Finding the Role of Spiritual and Religious Belief."

In Search of Culturally Appropriate Autism Interventions: Perspectives of Latino Caregivers

“…This finding is likely related to the difference in income and education levels between the two groups, and possibly language barriers faced by LSS families. Reduced access to services for autism among Latino families has been documented in the literature (Lobar, 2014).…”

“…The stigma around ASD negatively affected the way they were able to interact with family members and participate in their broader communities. The stigma of ASD in the Latino community, as well as of developmental disabilities in general, has been well documented in the literature (Blanche, Diaz, Barretto, & Cermak, 2015; Lobar, 2014; Zuckerman et al, 2014). Not surprisingly, Latino families of children with ASD or other developmental disorders have also reported family conflicts and social isolation (Bailey et al, 1999; Blanche et al, 2015; Lobar, 2014).…”

“…The stigma of ASD in the Latino community, as well as of developmental disabilities in general, has been well documented in the literature (Blanche, Diaz, Barretto, & Cermak, 2015; Lobar, 2014; Zuckerman et al, 2014). Not surprisingly, Latino families of children with ASD or other developmental disorders have also reported family conflicts and social isolation (Bailey et al, 1999; Blanche et al, 2015; Lobar, 2014). This pattern was reflected within the quantitative data in this study through significant differences between NLW and LSS parents on two of four survey items related to social support, with LSS parents reporting less social support.…”

See Me, See My Child

“…In a multicultural study of families experiencing the diagnosis of ASD in a child, Lobar (2014) found that families progress through certain actions: seeking diagnosis, engaging in routines to control behavior, finding therapies (types of therapies), finding school accommodations, educating others, rising to challenges, and finding the role of spiritual and religious belief. Worldview and family perceptions were critical to how the families proceeded in taking action for their child.…”

Introduction to the special issue: Family Support of Persons with Disabilities Across the Life Course

“…Furthermore, faith-based organizations have also assisted at the community level in meeting unmet needs for family support services for parents of young children with autism spectrum disorder, in particular, religion and spirituality has been positively associated with well-being (Ekas, Whitman, & Shivers, 2009). Greater levels of spiritual involvement have been reported for African American and Latino parents of children with disabilities, and research has documented how Latino and Asian American parents have reframed their children's disability within religious terms (Jegatheesan, Miller, & Fowler, 2010;Lobar, 2014;Manning, Wainwright, & Bennett, 2011;Taylor et al, 2005). Future research needs to explore the role of these community-level organizations and the mechanisms through which they provide support to family members assisting people with disabilities across the life course.…”