A Study to assess the problems faced and lifestyle modifications adopted by parents of children with autism attending selected child rehabilitation centres of Mumbai

Abstract

Background: Prevalence of autism is increasing worldwide. A WHO survey conducted in, April,2017, states that the incidence of autism has increased from 1 in 500 to 1 in 160 children. As there is no known cure for autism, it is considered to be a lifelong condition. Objectives: 1. To assess the problems faced and lifestyle modification adopted by parents in the following aspects: Physical, Emotional, Social, Professional 2. To determine the relationship between problems faced and lifestyle modification with selected demographic variables. Materials and methods: The data were collected from 43 parents of children with an autism by using non-probability, purposive sampling technique, tool was semi-structured interview schedule and rating scale, technique was interviewing. Result: Coefficient of correlation for Overall problems faced and Overall lifestyle modification adopted by parents with autistic children was -0.0696, it shows no relationship between them. Conclusion: From the findings of the study, we can conclude that parents of an autistic child face problems in the physical, emotional, social and professional spheres of life. Problems related to the social domain exceed than the other three. It is interpreted that parents also adopt lifestyle changes in response to the problems faced in all these aspects of life. However, it was found that the lifestyle modifications adopted by the parents in response to the physical problem were comparatively low.