Influence of autism awareness on the psychological well-being of mothers caring for their children with autism

Abstract

Autism is currently a hot topic in the field of special education due to the high prevalence ratio of it. It is a highly variable neuro-developmental disorder that first appears during infancy or childhood and generally follows a steady course without remission. Overt symptoms gradually begin after the age of six months, become established by the age of two or three, and tend to continue through adulthood. It differs from any disabilities; the characteristics of autism generate additional stress for the parents and make the life of all the family very hard. Usually, mothers face the stressful challenges of raising a child with autism, they are concerned with their children's communication, education and related services, relationships with professionals and the independence of their children's future. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the influence of autism awareness on the psychological wellbeing of mothers caring for their children with autism. A descriptive research design was used. The study was conducted in two settings: the first one was the Special Needs Care Center in the Institute of postgraduate Childhood Studies which affiliated to Ain Shams University and the second one was the outpatient clinic for child psychiatric treatments at El Abassia mental health hospital. Sixty children accompanied by their mothers with certain criteria were recruited in the beginning of June 2015 to the end of August 2015. The study concluded that about two thirds of the studied sample had poor awareness regarding autism and there was a highly statistical significant relation between awareness, stress and psychological wellbeing among mothers of children with autism. The study recommended that media awareness must be increased to aid mothers in prompting tolerance and understanding of autism with a clear explanation. Furthermore, there is a necessity to counseling mothers to enhance their awareness about autism for modifying their behaviors and psychosocial skills.

Evaluation of the Educational Program for Mothers and Its Effect on Knowledge and Practice Towards Their Children With Autism in Qassim Region

“…According to mothers' characteristics. It was found that the majority of the mothers in the age ranged between (30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39) years. These findings were not in the line with by (18) found that more than half of the mothers were in the age group 16-30 years.…”

Adapting Public-Private Partnership as Strategic Collaboration between Government and Philanthropy-Based Autism Spectrum Disorder Centre

“…This type of service offered at various children development centres incurred higher expenses. A study conducted by Lee, Odom and Loftin (2007) revealed that the cost of raising a child with ASD is three times higher than raising a TD child, meanwhile Zaki and Moawad (2016) reported that the cost for caring ASD children is more than twice of children without autism. Undeniably, the low-income level parents cannot afford the high expenses for therapy that would lead to more burden and instable financial condition.…”

“…This is the main reason whereby the parents refuse to send their ASD children to the respective centre for the therapy or treatment. They need to search for extra income for the cost of a child's medical care (Zaki & Moawad, 2016). Indeed, parents should have high awareness of the importance of therapy or treatment so as to support the development of their ASD children.…”

A Systematic Scoping Review of Social, Educational, and Psychological Research on Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their Family Members in Arab Countries and Cultures

“…There were two studies conducted in Lebanon and Egypt in which the well-being of mothers of children with ASD were examined. Zaki and Moawad (2016) assessed the influence of autism awareness on the psychological well-being of Egyptian mothers caring for their children (n = 60) with autism. Results concluded that about two thirds of the studied sample had poor awareness regarding autism and there was a highly statistical significant relationship between awareness, stress, and psychological well-being among mothers of children with autism.…”