Abstract
This study provided a description of types and dimensions of informal and formal social support among aging parental caregivers of adult children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents participated in a web-based survey regarding use of and satisfaction with social support services for parents or their adult children. Results indicated that many parents participated in autism support groups (27.5%), with psychiatric services (48.8%), counseling (40.6%), and financial assistance (39.7%) the most commonly used formal social supports. Emotional support (88.8%) and informational support (67.5%) were the most common informal social supports used. Professionals who are working with parental caregivers and their adult children diagnosed with ASD should be aware of available social support services to help them find needed services.
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This research was supported in part by funding from Eastern Michigan University’s Summer Research Award.
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Christina N. Marsack‑Topolewski created and designed the study. She was responsible for the implementation of this study. She is the sole author of this publication and contributed to all aspects of the analysis, research, and writing for this manuscript. She would like to thank her dissertation chair, Dr. Faith Hopp, for her guidance and expertise to help with the development and implementation of this study.
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Marsack-Topolewski, C.N. A Snapshot of Social Support Networks Among Parental Caregivers of Adults with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 50, 1111–1122 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04285-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04285-6