ERIC ED381975: The Economic and Psychological Burdens pdf

ERIC ED381975: The Economic and Psychological Burdens

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This study examined expenses associated with providing the Lovaas behavioral therapy for children with autism as well as the amount and type of stress parents perceive in raising an autistic child. Parents (12 mothers and 10 fathers) of autistic children (mean age 56 months) completed a self-report questionnaire. Expenses associated with the therapy included the initial consultation, a 3-day training workshop for parents, rearrangement of the home environment to foster therapy, hiring of therapists (mean number 5 per family for a mean number of 29.5 hours per week), and follow-up consultations. Parents estimated the average monthly cost of providing therapy for their autistic child to be $1,237. Responses concerning family adjustment and stress indicated many families have a highly structured routine for their autistic child, both mothers and fathers perceived high levels of stress, most parents reported spending 0-3 hours together per week, the autistic child frequently had additional health problems, and financial assistance defrayed only a small percentage of treatment expenses.

Discussion focuses on recommendations for additional government funding and insurance coverage for families of autistic children. (DB

• Creator/s: ERIC
• Date: 1995
• Year: 1995
• Book Topics/Themes: ERIC Archive, Autism, Behavior Modification, Children, Costs, Family Problems, Father Attitudes, Financial Support, Insurance, Mother Attitudes, Stress Variables, Therapy, Young Children

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