Family perspectives on raising a child with autism in South Africa

What is it about?

Much of what we know about families raising children with autism comes from research that has been conducted in high income countries. Our study was the first in South Africa to ask families with a child with autism about their family routines, the positive and negative impact of their child with autism on the family, and their satisfaction with their family quality of life.

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Why is it important?

Earlier research found that it is important for the well-being and coping of families that family routines occur on a regular basis. However, we also know that for families raising a child with autism, managing daily family routines may be particularly troublesome. Having a better understanding of how regular family routines relate to the appraisal of the impact of autism and the family's quality of life can help service providers to understand and support these families.