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Contribution title Main challenges and priorities of families of youth with autism spectrum disorder in Serbia
Contribution code D2.022
Authors
  1. Milica Vlaisavljevic Institute of Mental Health Belgrade
  2. Milica Pejovic Milovancevic School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia
  3. Sanja Lestarevic Institute of Mental Health Belgrade
  4. Marija Lero Institute of Mental Health Presenter
  5. Vanja Mandic Maravic Institute of Mental Health, Belgrade; Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade
  6. Roberto Grujicic Institute of Mental Health, Belgrade
  7. Jelena Vasic Institute of Mental Health, Belgrade, Serbia
Form of presentation Poster
Topic
  • T04 - ASD
Abstract Aims: This study examined the main challenges and priorities for families of adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 30 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The challenges for families were divided into three groups. The first domain of main challenges was related to behavioral challenges, the second domain of challenges was in the context of existing support systems, and the third related to the main priorities for families of youth with ASD in Serbia.
Methods: The sample included 85 caregivers (81.2% mothers, 17.6% fathers, and 1.2% other) of adolescents and young adults with ASD (76.5% males and 23.5% females) who are patients at the Institute of Mental Health in Belgrade, Serbia. This was a cross-sectional study and the instrument used was The Caregiver Needs Survey, questionnaire intended for caregivers of children with ASD. For all statistical analyses the statistical software SPSS 10.0 for Windows was used.
Results: In the domain of major behavioral challenges, 56.6% of caregivers identified challenging behavior (i.e., self-harm, aggression) as the biggest problem, 44.6% identified communication difficulties, and 39.8% repetitive behavior. Over 70% of caregivers identified obtaining adequate social support for the child and adequate respite opportunities for the caregiver as the main support challenges. They highlighted, as priorities, the need for improving health (42.7%), educational (41.7%), and social services in the country (39%), greater rights and protection of existing rights for people with ASD (39%), and greater support for families in the home environment (36.6%).
Conclusions: These findings indicate the importance and necessity of improving support for families of children with ASD not only during childhood but also during adolescence and adulthood with an emphasis on the family as a whole.
Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, youth, family, challenges, priorities