Abstract

MIRA, Álvaro et al. Contexto familiar de niños con autismo: Implicaciones en el desarrollo social y emocional. Medicina (B. Aires) [online]. 2019, vol.79, n.1, suppl.1, pp.22-26. ISSN 0025-7680.

Families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be differentiated according to socio-demographics and environmental risk factors characterized by stress parental, the use of coping strategies and social support. The aim of this study was to analyze the behavioral, emotional and social manifestations of children with ASD, related to different types of families characterized according risk factors as families with “high risk”, with “moderated risk” and with “low risk”. Participants were 52 mothers and their children between 7 and 11 years old with ASD without intellectual disability. All mothers provided information about children’s behavior through the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, which includes the following scales: emotional symptoms, behavioral problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer problems and prosocial behavior. Comparisons analysis showed that children belonging to the high family risk group exhibited less prosocial behaviors and a higher level of emotional problems compared to the low risk group. The findings from the present study illustrate the importance of considering the characteristics of entire family system in the emotional and social development of children with ASD. The role of family counseling to enhance emotional regulation skills and prosocial behaviors is underlined due to their impact on long-term social adjustment.

Keywords : Autism; Emotional problems; Prosocial behavior; Conduct disorders; Social adjustment; Family risk.

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