Divorce and Autism
Divorce and Autism
National University
Psychology XXX
Abstract
Studies were examined that disprove the myth of increased Divorce within families who have a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Since Autism is a Spectrum Disorder, characteristics will vary. Though characteristics may be different, families who have a child diagnosed with ASD undergo similar stressors. The differences that promote divorce for families with neuro-typical children and children diagnosed with ASD were explored, as well as the significance of older children with ASD (8 years and up) whose parents result in divorce. Resources available to aid in maintaining a balanced marriage or reconstructing a challenged marriage were discussed.
Think of the uncertainty that two parents face when receiving the news from a pediatrician, that their child has the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The figures of that exact situation are increasing yearly. As recently as only a decade ago, the statistics of having a child with Autism was one in 500 children, now that number has climbed to one in 110 children (“Parents of grown”, 22). Now imagine a marriage failing due to the immense stress of the new family dynamic that a married couple must accustom to. Does the diagnosis of Autism destine a marriage into divorce? Recent studies disprove the clinical myth of an 80% divorce rate among marriages involving a child diagnosed with Autism. Raising an Autistic child is described to be hard work; however, recent studies suggest that it does not significantly increase a couple’s risk. This paper examines recent research in relation to the insignificance of a diagnosis of ASD and increased divorce rate. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological disability that impacts development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. An individual with a diagnosis of ASD typically shows difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social
National University
Psychology XXX
Abstract
Studies were examined that disprove the myth of increased Divorce within families who have a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Since Autism is a Spectrum Disorder, characteristics will vary. Though characteristics may be different, families who have a child diagnosed with ASD undergo similar stressors. The differences that promote divorce for families with neuro-typical children and children diagnosed with ASD were explored, as well as the significance of older children with ASD (8 years and up) whose parents result in divorce. Resources available to aid in maintaining a balanced marriage or reconstructing a challenged marriage were discussed.
Think of the uncertainty that two parents face when receiving the news from a pediatrician, that their child has the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The figures of that exact situation are increasing yearly. As recently as only a decade ago, the statistics of having a child with Autism was one in 500 children, now that number has climbed to one in 110 children (“Parents of grown”, 22). Now imagine a marriage failing due to the immense stress of the new family dynamic that a married couple must accustom to. Does the diagnosis of Autism destine a marriage into divorce? Recent studies disprove the clinical myth of an 80% divorce rate among marriages involving a child diagnosed with Autism. Raising an Autistic child is described to be hard work; however, recent studies suggest that it does not significantly increase a couple’s risk. This paper examines recent research in relation to the insignificance of a diagnosis of ASD and increased divorce rate. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological disability that impacts development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. An individual with a diagnosis of ASD typically shows difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social
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