The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of play materials on the interactions between a child with autism and her sibling. Three conditions were assessed: open choice, materials chosen by the child with autism, and materials chosen by the typically developing sibling. Within each activity, measures of social interactions were assessed. Results of the assessment showed that more interactions occurred with a material chosen by the child with autism. After sibling training (targeting specific teaching skills), social interactions remained highest in the condition with materials chosen by the child with autism. The results are discussed in terms of a material assessment to optimize sibling training conditions and the importance of sibling relationships.

Previous research indicates that stressors experienced by a family, the perceived level of burden assigned by the family to the stressor, and the utilization of resources predict family functioning. The current study utilized a nationally representative sample of families of children with autistic disorder to determine if previously proposed models of family functioning accurately conceptualized family functioning within a representative sample. Structural equation modeling was utilized to test the double ABCX and the linear ACBX models of family functioning. With slight modifications, the double ABCX model was supported, thus indicating that pileup of stressors, perception of burden, and utilization of resources each have unique predictive ability for family functioning, with perception of burden demonstrating the highest amount of predictive ability. Results, implications, and limitations of the study are discussed.

The focus of this study was three fold. First, modeling and feedback were investigated as a training package for social interactions between siblings. Second, the effects of social phrases taught to the sibling with autism were investigated. Third, the magnitude of these social phrases was measured by timing duration of parallel play. The experimental design is an A-B-A1-A2 design conducted in a clinic, with a probe for generalization in the home environment. This intervention was replicated across an additional sibling dyad to indicate its effectiveness. This study ascertained that the sibling with autism was a viable participant in learning new social skills that could function as a behavioral cusp and increase sibling interactions.

Parents’ stress and coping strategies are often challenged in the context of childhood disability, highlighting the importance of studying these factors and their associations with parent behaviors to gather a better understanding of parent-child interactions in the context of developmental disabilities like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Less is known about how child characteristics (e.g., ASD severity, language, temperament, and behavior problems) and observed child behaviors relate to parent behaviors. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that were linked to key parent behaviors (i.e., cohesiveness, behavior regulation strategies, synchronization) during the parent-child interaction of parents with children with ASD. Forty-two mother-child dyads recruited from a therapeutic preschool participated in a parent-child interaction and completed questionnaires measuring parent psychosocial factors and child characteristics. Independent researchers coded videos for parent cohesiveness behaviors, parent behavior regulation strategies, parent synchronization, as well as child affect and compliance behaviors. Pearson correlational analyses were used to examine the relationships between parent psychosocial factors, child characteristics, and parent behaviors. Linear regression analyses were used to examine the effect of moderator variables on those links. Overall, externalizing and internalizing behaviors were related to depressive symptoms and stress, and stress and effortful control were related. Direct commands and positive parenting were associated with more positive child characteristics and behaviors, such as less negative affect and more committed compliance. The degree to which the mother cleaned and the amount of toys cleaned were also related to higher functioning child characteristics and less negative behaviors. Child characteristics did not significantly moderate the relationship between parent psychosocial factors and parent behaviors. Parents’ coping and self-efficacy did not significantly moderate the relationship between stress and parent behaviors. More research is needed to better understand how child characteristics and child behaviors relate to parent behaviors. The study offers suggestions for future research to better understand how to improve parent-child interactions during particularly difficult activities, such as clean-up, with a population of children who present unique challenges. Future work should aim to examine how to promote positive parent behavior regulation strategies during situations that require an end goal.

This research project was designed to demonstrate the usefulness of a supportive intervention program for 17 nine to 14 year old siblings of autistic children. Current clinical practice has begun most recently to include the siblings of handicapped children in treatment services as a preventive measure to help maximize families' coping abilities and to increase the chances that they will be strengthened by their unique circumstances. Although research evidence suggests that most siblings are not at risk for serious psychopathology, it seems reasonable to assume that few remain unaffected by living with a handicapped brother or sister. Siblings report that they have increased responsibilities, many unanswered questions, and parents who typically are caught up in the stresses of caring for a handicapped child and have limited time to attend to their needs. It was hypothesized that an intervention program providing information about the handicapping condition, autism, and offering support through participation in a discussion group with other siblings of autistic children would effect improved coping in the participants. Three time-limited interventions (information plus support, information plus activity, and activity control) were compared under controlled conditions. Sibling coping was measured by a) a battery of self-report and parent ratings of behavior and attitudes, b) clinical observations, and c) sibling and parent anecdotal accounts. Descriptive behavioral and attitudinal data on the total sibling sample indicated more deviant individual profiles than would be expected in the normal population. Consistent with previous research and clinical practice with this subject population, children who were identified with problems were those generally thought to be at greatest risk such as older female and younger male siblings who have assumed extensive caretaking responsibilities for the autistic child. Specific group changes following intervention were confounded by individual subject reactions to the various procedures. Qualitative aspects of the siblings' participation were discussed in terms of implications for future clinical intervention and research with this sibling population.

The present study employed a family systems approach to investigate the effects of level of autism severity on family functioning as mediated by parental coping. Participants were mothers of children with autism who were volunteers in an ongoing research program conducted within a university-based treatment center (N=146). Gilliam Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition (GARS-2) scores were available for all of the children and, as part of the broader program, parents completed the Coping Scale for Adults, which assesses a range of coping styles, and the Family Environment Scale, which provides positive and negative indicators of family functioning. Data analyses indicated that nonproductive coping significantly mediated the relationship between level of autism severity and family cohesion and conflict. Results also suggested that level of autism severity was negatively related to family conflict. The study further examined the use of specific coping styles on family cohesion and conflict. Evaluation of findings suggest that parents who have a child diagnosed with severe autism may be employing maladaptive coping strategies, such as wishful thinking, blaming one's self, or avoiding the situation. Implications for intervention approaches for individuals working with families of children with autism are suggested.

Thesis (MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition that presently affects approximately 1 out of every 110 children globally and indications are that the prevalence thereof is steadily on the rise. ASD is a complex neurological condition that impairs social interaction, communication and behaviour. Research on the wide-ranging effects of ASD and its unique characteristics in each child with ASD is widely available. Several studies allude to the fact that ASD has an impact on the family unit, but very few researchers have investigated the experience in the Western Cape Province, South Africa, from a sibling's perspective. The current situation leaves researchers, parents and siblings with very little data on the subject and inadequate support is available to address the specific needs of siblings. The aim of this study was to investigate siblings' views on living with a brother/sister with ASD. The central research question relates to the experiences of siblings of children with ASD. Sub-questions were focused on exploring their perceptions of ASD; relationships with brothers/sisters with ASD, peers and parents; sibling responsibilities and worries; and the extent of the pressure they experience as a result of the related added responsibilities. This is a qualitative study within an interpretive/constructivist research paradigm. The study was guided by an ecosystemic perspective as the theoretical framework. The methods of data collection comprised semi-structured interviews with siblings of children with ASD and open-ended questionnaires for parents. The qualitative research methods embraced the uniqueness of each sibling's experience and allowed participants the freedom to express this. Eight participants were purposefully selected for this study. The participants were between the ages of seven and seventeen years and each one had a brother who had been diagnosed with ASD. All the siblings lived with the brother with ASD and their parents in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Siblings were from different genders, as well as diverse socio-economic and cultural groups. All the parents of the siblings were biological parents and in all cases were married with no visible signs of marital stress. Several principles were adhered to in this study, to ensure that the research was ethical. Several important themes emerged from the study. These include the siblings' need for information pertaining to ASD; worries and feelings of guilt experienced by siblings as a direct result of ASD; responsibilities that siblings feel obliged to take on; the nature of relationships with a brother with ASD, parents and peers; the need for support structures; and an indication of the type of support that siblings require. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Outisme of Outistiese Spektrum Versteuring is 'n toestand wat tans na raming 1 uit 110 kinders wêreldwyd affekteer en dit wil voorkom asof die getalle stelselmatig toeneem. Outisme is 'n komplekse neurologiese versteuring wat 'n impak op sosiale interaksie, kommunikasie en gedrag het. Navorsing in die kompleksiteite van Outisme in kinders is redelik vrylik beskikbaar en navorsers dui aan dat die kondisie ook 'n impak op die gesin het. Tans is daar baie min navorsing wat op die ervarings of belewenis van sibbe van kinders met Outisme in die Wes-Kaap, Suid Afrika, fokus. Die gevolg hiervan is 'n daadwerklike tekort aan data tot die beskikking van navorsers, ouers en sibbe ten einde gepaste ondersteuning aan sibbe te bied. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die sibbe van kinders met Outisme se oogpunt en ervarings te ondersoek. Die sentrale navorsingsvraag het beoog om te ontdek wat sibbe se belewenis van hul lewe saam met 'n broer/suster met Outisme behels. Ondergeskikte vrae hou verband met die sib se persepsie van Outisme; verhoudings met 'n broer/suster met Outisme, eweknieë en ouers; die sib se verantwoordelikhede en meegaande kommer en druk; ondersteuning wat tans beskikbaar is; en die ondersteuning waaraan sibbe 'n behoefte toon. Die studie is kwalitatief van aard binne 'n interpretiwistiese/konstruktiwistiese navorsingsparadigma. Die onderliggende teoretiese raamwerk van hierdie studie is die ekosistemiese perspektief. Data is ingesamel deur middel van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude met sibbe, asook oop-einde vraelyste aan ouers. Kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes het die uniekheid van elke sib se ervaring in ag geneem en sibbe toegelaat om hulle ervarings vrylik uit te druk. Agt deelnemers is doelgerig gekies vir die studie. Die deelnemers was tussen die ouderdomme van sewe en sewentien jaar oud en elk het 'n broer wat met Outisme gediagnoseer is. Die sibbe bly tans saam met hul ouers en 'n broer met Outisme in die Wes-Kaap, Suid Afrika. Die sibbe het vanuit verskillende geslagte, asook verskeie sosio-ekonomiese en kulturele agtergronde gekom. Die ouers van die sibbe was almal biologiese ouers, steeds getroud met geen merkbare spanning in die huwelik nie. Verskeie etiese beginsels is in die studie gehandhaaf ten einde etiese korrektheid te verseker. Verskeie belangrike temas het na vore gekom. Dit sluit die volgende in: 'n Behoefte by die sibbe aan inligting rakende Outisme; sibbe se ervaring van bekommernisse en skuldgevoelens as 'n direkte gevolg van Outisme; verantwoordelikhede wat deur sibbe aanvaar word; die aard van verhoudinge met die broer met Outisme, ouers en gelykes; die behoefte aan ondersteuning; en 'n aanduiding van die tipe ondersteuning wat deur sibbe verlang word.

Lee Lut-man, Raymond. / Thesis submitted in: November 2003. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 330-363). / Abstract and questionnaires in English and Chinese. / Table of Contents --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.ii / Abstract (in English) --- p.iii / Abstract (in Chinese) --- p.vi / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Understanding of Autism --- p.6 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Literature Review --- p.30 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- "Research Questions, Hypotheses and Conceptual Model" --- p.79 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Methodology --- p.95 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Results --- p.114 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Discussion and Implications --- p.189 / Chapter Chapter 8 --- Contributions of the Study --- p.244 / Chapter Chapter 9 --- Future Research Directions --- p.247 / Chapter Chapter 10 --- Limitations of the Study --- p.249 / Chapter Chapter 11 --- Summary and Conclusions --- p.252 / Chapter Appendix A: --- Major Findings and Recommendations of the Report on Overseas Study Visit on Autism --- p.264 / Chapter B: --- Questionnaires for the Study Sample (in Chinese) --- p.266 / Chapter C: --- Questionnaires for the Study Sample (in English) --- p.285 / Chapter D: --- Questionnaires for the Comparison Sample (in Chinese) --- p.302 / Chapter E: --- Questionnaires for the Comparison Sample (in English) --- p.316 / Chapter F: --- Invitation Letter to Parents of Adolescents with Autistic Siblings (in Chinese) --- p.329 / References --- p.330

Chan, Yuet Ning Janice. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-136). / Abstracts in English and Chinese; some appendixes also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iv / Contents --- p.vi / "List of Figures, Tables, and Appendices" --- p.vii / INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER ONE --- The Nature of Autism --- p.5 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO --- Literature Review on Psychological Adjustment of Siblings of Autistic Probands and Associating Factors --- p.16 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE --- Purpose of the Study and Hypotheses --- p.59 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR --- Methodology --- p.66 / Chapter CHAPTER FIVE --- Results --- p.75 / Chapter CHAPTER SIX --- Discussion --- p.100 / CONCLUSION --- p.124 / References --- p.126 / Appendices --- p.137

Despite a remarkable need and demand for services, little is known about the family relationships of children with social competency disorders (SCD), defined in this study as children with Asperger’s Disorder and nonverbal learning disabilities (NVLD). Both children with Asperger’s Disorder and children with NVLD exhibit social skill deficits essential to building and maintaining relationships. These social competency impairments are thought to be related to similarities in their neuropsychological profiles. The low prevalence rates of these conditions and the neuropsychological and behavioral similarities supports the combination of Asperger’s Disorder and NVLD as a “social competency disorders” group for purposes of research. Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) have been found to be highly comorbid in children with SCD, and were included in this study as clinical control group. The purpose of this study was to examine the relational functioning in the families of children with social competency deficits across different parts of the family system. It was hypothesized that the social competency deficits in children with SCD would result in significantly lower levels of relational functioning across the parent-child subsystem, parenting subsystem and whole family level of the family. Sixty-one children between the ages of 8-12 and their mothers participated in this study. Children were assigned to the SCD, ADHD or typically developing group based on pre-determined criteria. Self-report measures of interpersonal functioning in the parent-child relationship, strength of parenting alliance in the parental relationship and social support in the whole family were collected and compared across the three groups. As predicted, mothers of children with SCD reported significantly higher levels of dysfunction in the parent-child subsystem as compared to mothers of typically developing children; however, no significant differences in parent-child dysfunction were found between the SCD and the ADHD group. Contrary to the hypotheses proposed in this study, the SCD group showed no significant group differences on measures of parenting alliance and social support in the whole family. This study reveals the importance of intervention in the parent-child relationship in these families, and the need for additional research using longitudinal, multi-modal and multiple informant designs. / text