Expanding Supports to Improve the Lives of Families of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Research suggests that families with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience increased stress and challenges compared with families of typically developing children. We highlight the need for family-centered approaches to reduce family stress, and we elaborate on some of the most central universal needs for families with a child with ASD, such as access to quality information and services, parent skills training, coordinated services, and transitional supports. We then present promising models and strategies from the best practice literature to better address family needs, such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, parent-educator partnership models, Parent to Parent (PTP), the Medical Home model, and the Family Navigator model. We conclude by providing practice recommendations and highlighting the critical need for further research.