by CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social communication and the presence of restrictive, repetitive behaviors. The demands associated with raising a child with autism often place considerable emotional, psychological, and financial stress on families, particularly primary caregivers. These challenges can result in increased levels of anxiety, depression, marital strain, and a general decline in family functioning (Karst & Van Hecke, 2012; Lima et al., 2020). The effects of having a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on parents are multifaceted and pervasive. While ample evidence has been provided that these families are under severe stress, there are still several knowledge gaps and unresolved questions. The children’s behavioral and emotional problems according to their symptoms, this children group was being responsible by their parents to help them to live in society happily based on their potentiality. The parents of children with Autism had to face with the feeling of their children as being selfcentered. The huge impact of having a child with ASD is apparent in both the severity and breadth of parent domains that seem to be influenced Consequently, the parents are anxious what kind of persons their children would be when they were grown up in the future, whether they would live in society. AS stress is a normally unavoidable part of everyone’s life living in this world. It portrays a negative impact on one’s mental and physical well-being, so Parents of children with ASD are more stressed, which may lead to depression, less parenting competence, less marital satisfaction, and less family adaptability.(Jarin, 2019).
In 1911, Bleuler is credited with the introduction of the concept of ASD, denoting the loss of contact with reality, frequently through indulgence in bizarre fantasy. Kanner was perhaps best known for his description of “early infantile autism” which is now known as an autism spectrum disorder in 1943 as a distinct clinical syndrome. Based on his observation of 11 children who were diagnosed with mental disability, Kanner described a common profile whereby the children did not relate “in the ordinary way” to people or situations from birth. He noted that the children’s repetitive activities, like their vocal utterances, as well as their lack of spontaneous activity, were caused by their anxious and obsessive desire for sameness. Autism denotes preoccupation with a direct imagining of thoughts and desires, with a lack of communication with reality (Salama, 2015).Definitions of this disorder developed during the previous era until the statistical and diagnostic evidence (DSM-5, 2013) defined it as one of the neurodevelopmental disorders that affect children from birth to the age of eight years, which appear through developmental disorder, characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech and nonverbal communication nranged from minor to severe level
Statement of the Problem
Families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often face unique and persistent challenges that contribute to elevated levels of stress, anxiety, and psychological distress. The unpredictable nature of autistic behaviors, communication difficulties, and social stigmatization significantly burden family dynamics, particularly affecting parents and primary caregivers (Lima et al., 2020). In many cases, this stress leads to caregiver burnout, marital strain, social isolation, and reduced overall quality of life (Masefield et al., 2020).
