Autism and the Support Needed for Children and Their Parents

Abstract

Autism is a disorder that is affecting thousands of children each year. With the number of children being diagnosed rising from one in ten thousand a few years ago to one in one hundred and fifty currently. Programs are needed to help support these children, as well as their parents (Nash, 2002). The purpose of this research was to determine if there is enough support for children and their parents in the Watertown area. The researcher chose to conduct questionnaires and participate in discussions with parents who are currently dealing with raising an autistic child. Through analyzing the questionnaire responses and notes taken during the discussions, the researcher found that in Watertown and the surrounding areas, not enough services are available for either the child or the coping parent. Children are receiving minimal programming and there is very little support for the parents of such children. The researcher being one of those parents finds that it is very frustrating and disheartening to live in a world that knows so little about a disorder that literally runs your life.