A comparison of families of children with autism spectrum disorders in family daily routines, service usage, and stress levels by regionality

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To explore whether family routines, service usage, and stress levels in families of children with autism spectrum disorder differ as a function of regionality. Methods: Secondary analysis of data was undertaken from 535 surveys. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate differences between families living in densely populated (DP) areas and less densely populated (LDP) areas. Results: Families living in LDP areas were found to: (1) have reduced employment hours (a two-parent household: Exp (B) = 3.48, p < .001, a single-parent household: Exp (B) = 3.32, p = .011); (2) travel greater distance to access medical facilities (Exp (B) = 1.27, p = .006); and (3) report less severe stress levels (Exp (B) = 0.22, p = .014). Conclusions: There were no differences in family routines; however, flexible employment opportunities and travel distance to medical services need to be considered in families living in LDP areas.

Keywords:

• ASD
• employment status
• regional and remote
• travel distance

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the valuable contributions of Aoife McNally, Kirsty Oehlers, Mandy Richards, Geoff Cole, Susan Peden, staff at Disabilities Services Commission, Caitlin Axford, Fiona Choi, Helen Weldergergish, Rachel Owens, Rex Parsons, Stephen Lawrie, Gal Rose, Tim Parkin and the AIM employment AAWA. We would also like to acknowledge the assistance of Dr. Yvonne Thomas and Dr. Donna Butorac.

Funding

This study was funded by the Department of Social Services (DSS), formerly the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, with in-kind support of the CRC for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), established and supported under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Programme.

Declaration of interest

The research was conducted in collaboration with the Disabilities Services Commission Western Australia (DSC). All aspects of the current study, including design, implementation, data collection, analysis and interpretation, were conducted independently from the DSS. The authors collaborated with the DSC and received assistance in data collection phase. Approval to submit this study for publication was sought from Autism CRC, DSS and DSC; however, the authors took sole responsibility to write and submit this current study. All researchers are independent from both DSS and DSC and take full responsibility for the integrity of the work.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Department of Social Services (DSS), formerly the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, with in-kind support of the CRC for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), established and supported under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Programme.