Working with individual and family change – a social ecological approach Flashcards
Supporting changes with individuals and families
how the needs of an autistic child and its parents evolve over time
the micro level of being a mother (of an autistic child) and how it involves a web of relationships and support issues that can change across time.
Alison Leask talks about her experiences as a mother of an autistic young person and the research she has done with other parents faced with similar circumstances.
•The child/young person’s web of relationships increases as they become older
The contexts, in which parents have to explain, support or manage their child’s difficulties increase over time to include extended family, the community (e.g. going into shops) and a wide range of multi-agency service provision.
•Parents are under constant pressure (24 hours a day, seven days a week) to respond to their child’s changing status and capabilities, while avoiding a tendency towards being risk averse or overprotective.
Many parents have the worry about what will happen to their child when they themselves are too old or not around to support them.
•The parent’s own information and forms of support needs to change across time
having contact with other parents can help with this.
•Some parents have to balance supporting their autistic child with providing for other children in their families.
•The point at which a diagnosis of a child’s autism occurs can bring a range of positive and negative changes to parents’ views, entitlement’s and relationships.
Although the social ecological perspective can help explain the experiences of parents, autistic children and young people
it is important to consider how the issues and consequent support need to change across time.
