THE EFFECT OF A CHILD WITH AUTISM ON THE FAMILY

Authors: Dr. Francesc Cuxart and Mrs. Lidia Fina (ASEPAC-Barcelona-ES)

INTRODUCTION

For parents, the confirmation that their child suffers from autism is very difficult to take in due to the characteristics of the disorder. Normally, and for some months, parents enjoy the great happiness of having a child who everybody considers, initially, to be developing as his/her peers. Slowly, however, the symptoms provoking a gradual anguish appear, which in most cases involve as well the beginning of a pilgrimage looking for a reliable diagnosis. This first stage, which in some cases may last a long time, is undoubtedly the most difficult to overcome, since it implies living constantly feeling both hope and despair. For this reason, it is essential for parents to receive a diagnosis as earliest as possible, since knowing the truth, despite being terrible, is the beginning of the acceptance of the situation and that is what gives parents the courage to start acting.

Most behaviours of these children disconcert parents because beyond the evolution delays, the treats characterising autism include a whole series of abnormal behaviours strayed from the standard development patterns. The rejection to affective contact, the lack of response to verbal requirements o repetitive play are aspects that have a deep impact, and some of these behaviours might cause important guilt feelings. The question “what have I done to have a child that does not love me?”, it is not infrequent in mothers with children who suffer from autism.

The fact that most of the children with autism does not present evident physical impairments does not help either to become aware of the problem. When a child, apart from delays and/or development disorders, presents abnormal morphological (physical) treats, nobody doubts that he/she suffers from something severe and with an organic origin. However, if a child has a completely regular physique, doubts disappear since, still today, there are certain prejudices that difficult the association between organic disorder and preserved physique.

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