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The Effects of Autism on the Family pp 289–310Cite as

Family Resources and Successful Adaptation to Autistic Children

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Part of the book series: Current Issues in Autism ((CIAM))

Abstract

The negative effects of autistic children on families have been poignantly documented by parents and, more recently, by clinicians and researchers (DeMyer and Goldberg, 1983; Holroyd and McArthur, 1976). Much less is known, however, about the characteristics of autistic children and the resources in their families and communities that enable some families to cope successfully in the face of such chronic stress. Mary Akerley (1975) spoke of “invulnerable” parents of autistic children, those parents who are able to persevere and even to grow in the presence of their autistic children. The purpose of this chapter is to focus on research on family resources and their role in facilitating such successful family adaptation to autistic and autistic-like children.

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Reference Notes

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center and Division TEACCH, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514, USA

    Marie M. Bristol

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  1. Marie M. Bristol
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division TEACCH, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 310 Medical School Wing E, 222H, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514, USA

    Eric Schopler  & Gary B. Mesibov  & 

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© 1984 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Bristol, M.M. (1984). Family Resources and Successful Adaptation to Autistic Children. In: Schopler, E., Mesibov, G.B. (eds) The Effects of Autism on the Family. Current Issues in Autism. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2293-9_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2293-9_17

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-2295-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-2293-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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