Study Suggests Nearly All Moms of Kids With Autism Suffer Symptoms of Depression

Moms of Kids with Autism autism Autism spectrum disorder Danielle Roubinov Elissa Epel depression Symptoms of Depression

By Camille Hutchison , Parent Herald Sep 30, 10:10 am

A new study has discovered that half of the moms of children with autism have symptoms of depression, but it did not raise the risk of behavioral problems for their kids, according to US News.

A study published in Family Process determined that approximately 50 percent of all mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suffer depressive symptoms for more than 18 months, while rates were much lower at 6 percent to 13.6 percent for moms with neurotypical kids in the same period.

Dr. Danielle Roubinov, the first author of the study, said the mother's higher symptoms of depression did not predict any increase in their children's behavior over time, especially among families with a child with autism who encounter a lot of stress, which is good news.

Dr. Elissa Epel, a senior author of the study, noted that being the parent of a child with special needs is naturally challenging every day. Thus, it is a prototypical example of chronic stress, which is the main reason the study focuses on caregiving moms and examines stress's effects on health.

How does having an autistic child affect moms?

The study, Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder on Family" shows that children with autism experience a variety of challenges that significantly impact parents and the functions of the family negatively. Also, it creates significant stress among all family members, making the social and communication deficits affect all family members.

Parenting will never be easy, especially if you're parenting a child with special needs, as it requires a lot of energy and time. There may be days when a parent feels overwhelmed, stressed, and discouraged. Help Guide suggests that to be the best, parents should take care of themselves, especially a mom of kids with autism, who have been shown to have rising stress, depression, and anxiety, which are all associated with child behavior problems related to autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Not only do autistic children experience difficulties, but raising a kid with autism can be challenging for parents, specifically when others do not understand the issues. Kids with ASD face the world differently and often struggle to express themselves. Sensory issues can also affect how they smell, hear, or see things.

A cross-sectional study published in NCBI found that ASD substantially impacts maternal well-being and family life, which entails family finances. Also, the study authors discovered that maternal stress could result from the severity of the child's ASD symptoms, activity level, and negative mood.

How does autism affect children?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in 2021 that around 1 in 44 children in the United States is diagnosed with ASD. According to a 2018 data, boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.

Autism may affect children's development, and they may have problems with social interaction and communication skills. The early signs could be: failing to respond when parents call their name, resisting cuddling, and preferring to play alone, per Mayo Clinic.