Evidence for Supportive Interventions for Parents of Autistic Children
Major
Nursing, BSN
Second Major
Philosophy
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Nursing
Faculty Advisor
Stephanie Moore
Faculty Advisor
Wendy Kooken
Location
CNS Atrium
Start Date
4-12-2025 8:30 AM
End Date
4-12-2025 9:30 AM
Abstract
Autism is a developmental disorder that impacts traits, such as communication and relationships. Parents are often the first to recognize autism in their children. Effective help is necessary for children with autism (CWA) to develop essential life skills. Lack of confidence and support systems, along with daily stress, anxiety, and depression, can lower parents' abilities to care for their children effectively. Treatment for autism costs between $40-60,000 per year, per child. Health insurance typically covers the costs of diagnostic procedures and prescription medications, but not therapies. Parents' time commitments caring for CWA can leave them less time to work, which compounds financial concerns. As CWA grow, their problems may become more profound. The population of persons with autism is at an increased risk for homelessness, and inadequate early interventions exacerbate this risk. When parents of CWA are not consistently supported, the financial costs to society will inevitably increase. This research aims to identify the influence of parent education and resources on supporting CWA. It will examine how increasing parents' awareness of autism can improve the child’s emotional and developmental outcomes, and decrease financial costs, both short and long term. This research emphasizes the need for accessible resources and highlights the collaboration between nurses, educators, and families to create a supportive environment. We are conducting a literature review of interventions for parents of CWA to promote optimum development and produce better quality of life for the family, and save money. Using the PRISMA method allows us to report why this review was done, what we did, and what we found. Our review is currently in process.
Evidence for Supportive Interventions for Parents of Autistic Children
CNS Atrium
Autism is a developmental disorder that impacts traits, such as communication and relationships. Parents are often the first to recognize autism in their children. Effective help is necessary for children with autism (CWA) to develop essential life skills. Lack of confidence and support systems, along with daily stress, anxiety, and depression, can lower parents' abilities to care for their children effectively. Treatment for autism costs between $40-60,000 per year, per child. Health insurance typically covers the costs of diagnostic procedures and prescription medications, but not therapies. Parents' time commitments caring for CWA can leave them less time to work, which compounds financial concerns. As CWA grow, their problems may become more profound. The population of persons with autism is at an increased risk for homelessness, and inadequate early interventions exacerbate this risk. When parents of CWA are not consistently supported, the financial costs to society will inevitably increase. This research aims to identify the influence of parent education and resources on supporting CWA. It will examine how increasing parents' awareness of autism can improve the child’s emotional and developmental outcomes, and decrease financial costs, both short and long term. This research emphasizes the need for accessible resources and highlights the collaboration between nurses, educators, and families to create a supportive environment. We are conducting a literature review of interventions for parents of CWA to promote optimum development and produce better quality of life for the family, and save money. Using the PRISMA method allows us to report why this review was done, what we did, and what we found. Our review is currently in process.