Co-occurring intellectual disability and autism: Associations with stress, coping, time use, and quality of life in caregivers
Abstract
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.
RAS ID
38846
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
2021
Volume
84
Funding Information
Lishman Health Foundation
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
Copyright
subscription content
Publisher
Elsevier
Comments
Vaz, S., Thomson, A., Cuomo, B., Falkmer, T., Chamberlain, A., & Black, M. H. (2021). Co-occurring intellectual disability and autism: Associations with stress, coping, time use, and quality of life in caregivers. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 84, article 101765. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101765