Family support is critical to improving the development and self-determination of an autistic individual, especially in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, to provide autistic individuals with the at-home support they need to thrive, family systems must be supported. This includes emotional support and education.
Studies exploring the importance of family involvement in promoting self-determination have been conducted for decades (Field & Hoffman, 1999). In a later study, Hoffman found that while support for families comes from spouses and neurotypical siblings, it must also be found from different sources of physical, financial, and emotional support (2012).
Successful family support structures can enhance outcomes, particularly at school. A review found that constant interaction between the family and school was integral for successful inclusion. The researchers in this review concluded that active participation in both spheres was essential for the “academic, social, and emotional development of children with ASD” (Alves et al., 2023).
Clinicians, therapists, and counsellors assessing children must understand the importance of family support and follow the best practice recommendations to help families gain access to the support and education they need following an autism diagnosis.
Essential Education for Families
Hall & Graff recommend professionals maintain an up-to-date repository of the latest recommendations and support services available to families, so clinicians may refer families to the appropriate resources without overwhelming them with options that don’t suit them (2011).
It’s also critical to understand how different family members define their needs. In families with mothers, those figures typically place more importance on quality professionals, responsibility respite, parent support groups, and counselling (Losada-Puente et al., 2022). When fathers are present in families, those figures, on average, valued direct assistance. The study also concluded that age and co-occurring behavior problems directly impacted the number of important support needs necessary.
As a therapist, clinician, or counsellor, it is ideal to be fully aware of the latest resources available to parents, particularly at different price points. Prioritize organizations, services, and professionals that provide family training and focus on how the family works as a unit and how to transform what’s known as community ecology (Losada-Puente et al., 2022).
With these details in mind, it’s important you provide or connect families with the right resources that educate and provide the support they need. Caregivers’ mental health needs must be considered to improve the effectiveness of the intervention plan and the quality of life for all.
These resources can include:
- Support networks
- Stress management skills building
- Behavior management training
- Psychoeducation about the child’s diagnosis
- And more
How to Improve the Accuracy of the Recommendations You Make
The keystone to successfully establishing or recommending support and education frameworks for families lies in your ability to successfully diagnose your charges. This means more than diagnosing autism, strengths, and support needs. You must be able to accurately identify co-occurring conditions that may be playing a factor. It’s also crucial that you invest in upskilling to avoid internal biases from interfering with your assessment process.
This can be done by expanding or advancing your diagnostic capabilities. You could, for example, add ABAS-3 to your diagnostic toolset alongside gold standards like ADOS-2. You can learn more about ABAS-3 and how it can help you more accurately evaluate those with ASD, as well as developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, or other neuropsychological disorders at WPS.
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