TY - JOUR
T1 - Co-occurring intellectual disability and autism
T2 - Associations with stress, coping, time use, and quality of life in caregivers
AU - Vaz, Sharmila
AU - Thomson, Allyson
AU - Cuomo, Belinda
AU - Falkmer, Torbjorn
AU - Chamberlain, Angela
AU - Black, Melissa H.
PY - 2021/6
Y1 - 2021/6
N2 - Background: Having a child on the autism spectrum (AS) is known to impact caregiver quality of life (QoL), time use, and stress. A co-occurring diagnosis of intellectual disability (ID) is common among children on the autism spectrum, with ID itself impacting caregiver outcomes. Method: This study sought to understand how co-occurring ID in children on the autism spectrum may influence caregiver-related outcomes. Secondary analysis of survey data from caregivers of 278 children on the autism spectrum with (n = 62) and without (n = 216) co-occurring ID was conducted, exploring impacts on caregiver QoL, stress, coping, and time-use. Results: Univariate analysis showed that caregivers of children on the autism spectrum with co-occurring ID reported greater levels of stress due to core symptoms and co-occurring physical conditions, and had different time use patterns then caregivers of children on the autism spectrum without co-occurring ID. Multivariate analysis, however, showed that caregivers of children on the autism spectrum with and without co-occurring ID differed only in the time they spent preparing meals, socialising with friends and accessing in-home respite care. Conclusions: The presence of co-occurring ID in children on the autism spectrum had limited impacts on caregiver-related outcomes. Families of children across the entire AS require adequate supports.
AB - Background: Having a child on the autism spectrum (AS) is known to impact caregiver quality of life (QoL), time use, and stress. A co-occurring diagnosis of intellectual disability (ID) is common among children on the autism spectrum, with ID itself impacting caregiver outcomes. Method: This study sought to understand how co-occurring ID in children on the autism spectrum may influence caregiver-related outcomes. Secondary analysis of survey data from caregivers of 278 children on the autism spectrum with (n = 62) and without (n = 216) co-occurring ID was conducted, exploring impacts on caregiver QoL, stress, coping, and time-use. Results: Univariate analysis showed that caregivers of children on the autism spectrum with co-occurring ID reported greater levels of stress due to core symptoms and co-occurring physical conditions, and had different time use patterns then caregivers of children on the autism spectrum without co-occurring ID. Multivariate analysis, however, showed that caregivers of children on the autism spectrum with and without co-occurring ID differed only in the time they spent preparing meals, socialising with friends and accessing in-home respite care. Conclusions: The presence of co-occurring ID in children on the autism spectrum had limited impacts on caregiver-related outcomes. Families of children across the entire AS require adequate supports.
KW - Autism
KW - Child
KW - Disability
KW - Family
KW - Intellectual disability
KW - Routine
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85103326519&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101765
DO - 10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101765
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85103326519
SN - 1750-9467
VL - 84
JO - Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
JF - Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
M1 - 101765
ER -