Response to stress in the parents of children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Literature on the subject hints that the skills of parents with children affected by autism are different from those of parents whose children with typical development or affected by other conditions. Among parental characteristics empathy and reciprocity in the child-parent relationship helps to bring to surface the child's social skills, learning adaptability and has a crucial influence on mental development along the entire lifespan. This research was aimed to investigate the differences about coping and empathy in mothers of children (3-11 years-old) divided in two groups: an “ASD group” consisting of mothers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and a “control group” including mothers of children with typical development.