Families of Adolescents with Autism: Facing the Future

The purpose of this report, drawn from a larger study, was to investigate family adaptation in families of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and to determine whether family adaptation is influenced by: daily stressors, uncertainty regarding the adolescent's disability, and use of coping strategies on the family's adaptation process. Selection of variables was guided by McCubbin's Family Resilience Model. A total of 115 family members, all members of Interactive Autism Network, participated and completed the study using web-based technology. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed the independent variables, except use of coping strategies, had a statistically significant relationship with family adaptation. Because few studies have focused on this population, the findings may assist families and health care professionals during this important family life developmental milestone.