A snapshot of social support networks among parental caregivers of adults with autism
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2020
Department/School
Social Work
Publication Title
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Abstract
© 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. This study provided a description of types and dimensions of informal and formal social support among aging parental caregivers of adult children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents participated in a web-based survey regarding use of and satisfaction with social support services for parents or their adult children. Results indicated that many parents participated in autism support groups (27.5%), with psychiatric services (48.8%), counseling (40.6%), and financial assistance (39.7%) the most commonly used formal social supports. Emotional support (88.8%) and informational support (67.5%) were the most common informal social supports used. Professionals who are working with parental caregivers and their adult children diagnosed with ASD should be aware of available social support services to help them find needed services.
Link to Published Version
Recommended Citation
Marsack-Topolewski, C. N. (2020). A snapshot of social support networks among parental caregivers of adults with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(4), 1111–1122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04285-6