Giving Compass' Take:

• A recent study revealed the high levels of emotional burnout and stress among families who have children with autism. 

• What can caregivers and the medical community do to help ease emotional burdens for families? How can they gain more access to resources? 

• Learn more about how to make an impact on autism philanthropy.  

The study surveyed 25 caregivers of 16 children ages 2 to 20 with autism spectrum disorder to evaluate how their care affected their family dynamics, physical and mental health, and social functioning. The researchers also asked about the caregivers’ worries, daily activities, family relationships, and insurance.

“While the understanding of how autism spectrum disorders impact individuals has grown, the awareness of the burden on families who care for these individuals is less established,” says Xue Ming, a professor of neurology at Rutgers University’s New Jersey Medical School. “Caring for loved ones with autism spectrum disorder is emotionally and physically taxing.”

The study found:

  • Emotional burnout was more likely in families with a child with low-functioning autism spectrum disorder and simultaneous conditions.
  • Social isolation was greater in families who reported significant emotional burnout.
  • Families with more than one caregiver experienced less emotional burnout and social isolation.
  • Families with a higher socioeconomic status tended to spend more money on medical treatments outside of their health insurance policy.
  • Families with an aggressive and irritable child tended to experience more social isolation and emotional burnout.
  • Simultaneous medical and behavioral disorders were common in these children.

Read the full article about families of children with autism by Patti Verbanas at Futurity.