Abstract
This paper looks at some of the challenges that are faced by families with an autistic child. It begins by presenting a case study of a family who struggled to diagnose a child with autism. It also discusses crisis issues within families who have children with autism. The paper then analyzes a study that looks at whether there is a connection between language and theory of mind between autistic children and those with moderate learning difficulties.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Families with Autistic Children and Crisis
Methods
Results
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In another study titled, "The Broader Cognitive Phenotype of Autism in Parents: How Specific is the tendency for local processing and executive dysfunction?" (Bolte, 2006, p. 639) showed parents of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children performed faster in processing their children with a myriad of interactive tests (Embedded Figures Test, Block Design, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Tower of Hanoi, and Trailmaking Test) compared to parents with schizophrenia or mental retardation (640-1). It seems that autistic children need more attention from parents compared to the other children having schizophrenia and mental retardation. As the parents learn to cope with autistic disorder, their children seem to trust and cope with their parents."

Tags:ASD, language, intervention, coping, adapting

Abstract
This paper presents a case study of a three year-old male child diagnosed with autism. The paper uses the developmental psychopathology macro-paradigm to discuss the child's situation from several different perspectives. These perspectives are: biological, behavioral, cognitive, emotional, evolutionary and family systems.

From the Paper
"Jake is a three-year-old African American boy who has been diagnosed with autism. Using a developmental psychopathology macro-paradigm, Jake'situation will be discussed from the following perspectives: biological, behavioral..."

Tags:autism, case study, macroparadigm

Abstract
This paper describes how having an autistic child can impact a family. The paper details the situation of Lyric and Lionel Foster, who had suspicions of their daughter, Linda, two weeks after she was born. According to the paper, the recognition of Lyric's voice seems not to be followed by Linda's eyes. This was followed by pediatric visits, but Lyric felt she was not taken seriously.

From the Paper
"Families with an Autistic Child Introduction Lyric and Lionel Foster had suspicions about their daughter, Linda, two weeks after she was born. The suspicion from Lyric was that Linda's eyes would not follow her within a room, as a baby should recognize their mother. Lyric panicked and informed her husband, Lionel. Lionel dismissed her thoughts and continued playing and loving his daughter. However, months went by and Lyric became more suspicious and demanded that Linda see a pediatrician. Linda seemed to have no problem following Lyric's voice around the doctor's office yet she doesn't recognize Lyric's voice..."

Tags:autism, families, interventions

From the Paper
"Autism: Impact on Parents and Siblings
Definition of Autism
Autism is a neuropsychiatric disorder that disrupts the typical development of social, communicative and cognitive skills. These symptoms often appear within the first three years of the child's life. In the social domain, autistic individuals are unable to form typical peer relationships and interact reciprocally with others. They often exhibit strange behavior that alienates them from others. Communicative delays are characterized by a delay or lack of language. In the case of verbal individuals, they are unable to start or maintain a conversation; their speech is characterized by echolalia (repetitive speech) and idiosyncratic language. The development of their cognitive skills is limited because of their restricted range of .."

Abstract
This paper researches the effects autistic children can have on their family. The author reviews literature and studies on this issue and finds that, not only is family life affected, it is common that parents of children with autism tend to show deficits in social interaction. Furthermore the progress and well being of siblings of an autistic child might be affected. These viewpoints are expanded on with the author explaining how early diagnosis and social support can help families cope with their child's developmental delay or disability.

Outline:
Introduction
Effects on Parents & Siblings
Effects on Life of Family in Normal Activities
Adapting and Coping Strategies
Findings
Summary & Conclusion

From the Paper
"Autism is a disease that has a major impact upon the family of the child with this disorder, which include emotional, functional, social, financial, as well as others, which will be related in this study. The precise cause of Autism is not known however, researchers are examining the genetic and environmental causes and some state a belief that autism is likely a disorder that is biologically based. However, recently there have been reports, which address the potential of vaccines to cause this disorder as the number of children diagnosed as being Autistic has increased over recent years. Behavioral modification is the most prominent form of treatment being utilized presently to treat this disorder."

Tags:development disorders, behavioral disorders, social disorders, social support

Abstract
In this article, the writer examines the affects of stress on the family of an autistic child. The writer examines stressors that are indigenous to families with autistic children and explores avenues of resolving or relieving the stress. This project examines the stress of families dealing with an autistic child and looks at some of the things that are being done to help reduce it. The writer explains that autism can be a devastating diagnosis for parents who often spend months trying to get to the bottom of what is happening with their once vibrant, developing toddler. The writer concludes that with what is currently known about stress and autism it becomes evident that social contact and formal training can help parents alleviate and reduce the stress level within the family when they have an autistic child.

Outline:
Proposal
Introduction
Literature Review
Discussion

From the Paper
"Once the diagnosis process is complete the parents are left with trying to care for the child who can be trying at best and the family is often thrown into a very stressful environment as family members work to maintain a sense of normalcy while coping with the elements of autism. One of the more draining aspects of having a child in the family with autism is the stress that it can create. Stress has long since been known to create health issues, cause divorce and create family and relationship disharmony in ways that are sometimes irreparable. It is important to understand exactly how having a child with autism impacts the family by the stress that it causes. It is by that understanding that future programs can be developed to help alleviate the stress."

Tags:autistic, developmental, disorder, communication

Abstract
The paper relates that the effects of autism on the family are as diverse as its symptoms. The paper describes how starting from the time of diagnosis, the family experiences various stages and types of effects, throughout the life of the autistic member. This paper focuses on this range of effects an autistic child has on the family. Specifically, it analyzes the differing effects on mothers and fathers, and those on siblings as well.

Tags:autism, effects, family

Abstract
The author describes the behavior and developmental problems of autistic children. This paper focuses on autistic children -- ages three to five, because this is the age when diagnosis and treatment begins. The paper states that Federal law requires that at age five, when the child is ready to begin kindergarten, the state of residence must provide the child, his/her parents and the school system with an individualized education plan. The paper discusses various treatment programs.

From the Paper
"Unfortunately, the newness of the condition hampers the diagnosis and treatment for children with autism. Autism itself has many varying severities, what might show up in one child might not show up in another. For this reason, autism is usually defined as a spectrum disorder, or one that can have symptoms in any combination with different levels. While the symptoms usually begin in infancy, the true diagnosis usually occurs when the child is around age three. Several factors surrounding an infant's birth can cause slower development as far as cognitive skills or verbal skills (i.e. premature, severe illness at birth), but around age three, most children seem to taper off to more defined skill-levels."

Tags:diagnosis, treatment, disorder, social, interaction, education, special, community, family, coordination, vitamin, intervention, inclusion, segregated

Abstract
This paper takes a look at the rising autism rates in Canada and criticizes how little the Canadian government is doing to help autistic children or families dealing with autism. The author first defines autism to enable a better understanding of the disorder then suggests that the focus of Canadian medical investment and research should be focused on developing and communicating forms of therapy that help kids that must learn to live with the autism. The paper also describes the Autistic Spectrum Disorder Program that Canada had and failed to revive that provided family members of autistic children with training regarding the effects of the disorder on the child and states that information and rehabilitation programs for autism support need to be taken more seriously as a priority and a reality by the Canadian government.

From the Paper
"Autism is an important health issue in children because so little is really known about the disease, and for all intents and purposes, research indicates that the scientific approach is too slow and lugubrious to be of much good to the significant amount of children in Canada suffering from autism today. The lack of quantifiable evidence into the causes of autism suggests that the focus of Canadian medical investment and research should be focused on developing and communicating forms of therapy that help kids that must learn to live with the disease."

Tags:pediatric care, disorder support, research programs

Abstract
The paper discusses how autism is a disorder that is harmful to the sufferer and his or her family as well. The paper explains that this disorder is a developmental handicap that results in an impaired ability to participate in normal social and linguistic processes, and it affects the autistic person's experience and display of emotions as well. The paper relates that the child is depicted as being trapped in a syndrome that does not allow him or her to relate normally to the outside world, the child also experiences a diminished capacity for learning and the child may also be emotionally unstable and may experience a sense of hopelessness.

From the Paper
"Autism is a disorder that is harmful to the sufferer and his or her family as well. The disorder is a developmental handicap that results in an impaired ability to participate in normal social and linguistic processes, and it affects the autistic person's experience and display of emotions as well. The child is depicted as being trapped in a syndrome that does not allow him or her to relate normally to the outside world. The child also experiences a diminished capacity for learning. The child may also be emotionally unstable and may experience a sense of hopelessness. The latter applies to the parents as well, and indeed the experience for the..."

Tags:autism, grieving, process