AUTISM THERAPY their family lifestyle , creating a weekly routine that schedules “ spouse-time ” or “ alone time ” while meeting their children ’ s needs , or searching for local parental support groups , occupational therapists can help parents find balance in their lives . Also , they can teach parents how to explain their children ’ s diagnoses to family / friends or help them understand their children ’ s specific sensory needs . Through this teamwork with an occupational therapist , parents can learn how to “ piece the puzzle ” back together .
Ask your child ’ s occupational therapist or seek the help of an occupational therapist for advice on parental coping mechanisms and individualized stress management strategies .
References :
Altiere , M . J ., & von Kluge , S . ( 2009 ). Family functioning and coping behaviors in parents of children with autism . Journal of Child and Family Studies , 18 ( 1 ), 83-92 . http :// dx . doi . org . resource . adu . edu / 10.1007 / s10826-008-9209-y
Bitsika , V ., Sharpley , C . F ., & Bell , R . ( 2013 ). The buffering effect of resilience upon stress , anxiety and depression in parents of a child with an autism spectrum disorder . Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities , 25 ( 5 ), 533-543 . doi : 10.1007 / s10882-013-9333-5
Conner , C . M ., & White , S . W . ( 2014 ). Stress in mothers of children with autism : Trait mindfulness as a protective factor . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders , 8 ( 6 ), 617-624 . http :// dx . doi . org . resource . adu . edu / 10.1016 / j . rasd . 2014.02.001
Frye , L . ( 2015 ). Autism spectrum disorder : Nursing Implications . Journal of Pediatric Health Care , 1-11 . http :// dx . doi : 10.1016 / j . pedhc . 2015.10.012
Harper , A ., Dyches , T . T ., Harper , J ., Roper , S . O ., & South , M . ( 2013 ). Respite care , marital quality , and stress in parents of children with autism spectrum disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders , 43 ( 11 ), 2604-2616 . http :// dx- . doi . org . resource . adu . edu / 10.1007 / s10803-013- 1812-0
Hayes , S . A ., & Watson , S . L . ( 2013 ). The impact of parenting stress : A meta-analysis of studies comparing the experience of parenting stress in parents of children with and without autism spectrum disorder . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders , 43 ( 3 ), 629-642 . http :// dx- . doi . org . resource . adu . edu / 10.1007 / s10803-012- 1604-y
Kuhaneck , H . M ., Madonna , S ., Novak , A ., & Pearson , E . ( 2015 ). Effectiveness of interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder and their parents : A systematic review of family outcomes . The American Journal of Occupational Therapy , 69 ( 5 ), 6905180040 p1-6905180040p14 . http :// dx . doi . org / 10.5014 / ajot . 2015.017855
Lee , G . K ., Lopata , C ., Volker , M . A ., Thomeer , M . L ., Toomey , J . A ., Rodgers , J . D ., . . . McDonald , C . A . ( 2012 ). Stress , resiliency factors , quality of life among caregivers of children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders ( HFASDs ). The Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling , 18 ( 1 ), 25-36 . http :// dx . doi . org . resource . adu . edu / 10.1017 / jrc . 2012.5
McStay , R . L ., Dissanayake , C ., Scheeren , A ., & Koot , H . M . ( 2014 ). Parenting stress and autism : The role of age , autism severity , quality of life and problem behaviour of children and adolescents with autism . Autism : The International Journal of Research and Practice , 18 ( 5 ), 502-510 . doi : 10.1177 / 1362361313485163
Rivard , M ., Terroux , A ., Parent-boursier , C ., & Mercier , C . ( 2014 ). Determinants of stress in parents of children with autism spectrum disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders , 44 ( 7 ), 1609-1620 . http :// dx . doi . org . resource . adu . edu / 10.1007 / s10803-013-2028-z
Silva , L . M . T ., & Schalock , M . ( 2012 ). Autism Parenting Stress Index ( APSI ). Measurement Instrument Database for the Social Science . Retrieved from www . midss . ie
Emily Spencer and Karen Razon are proud graduates of the Master of Occupational Therapy Program at Adventist University of Health Sciences in Orlando , Florida . This submission was a part of their capstone project , under the direction of their university advisor , Kim Gensolin , OTR / L . Both Karen and Emily have a passion for working with children and their families ; Emily has recently accepted a position at a pediatric therapy clinic in Bradenton , FL , and Karen is continuing to work at an outpatient pediatric clinic in Sanford , FL .
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