Burden and Need for Assistance in Parents of Autistic Children

This article presents results from an in-depth interview Study with parents of children suffering from autism, focusing burden, coping resources, and need for professional assistance. The results show that parents feel extremely burdened by the intensive care for their autistic child. Based on the results of this study, the article outlines a concept of assisting parents of autistic children. Components of the concept are e.g. counseling, initiation of self-help potentials, cooperation and integration of existing services, and public relations work.