Neuropsychological profiles, personality features and familial relational patterns in parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Introduction. The study of neuropsychological profiles and personality features of parents of persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has highlighted specific traits that turned out to be useful for diagnostic purposes. Aim and methods. In our study, psychodiagnostic measures have been used to investigate cognitive profiles, personality features and familial relational patters in a group of parents of children with ASD associated to Intellectual Disability (ID). This group was then compared with a another group of parents of children with Prader-Willi syndrome. Results. Results show no differences between the two groups with regard to Intellectual Quotient, while significant differences were found at the intelligence test Wechsler, which partially confirmed data from the literature relating to the performances of parents of persons with ASD. No differences were found in the executive functioning and memory abilities. As for familial relational patters, families of children with ASD showed decreased cohesion and higher disengagement. Discussion and conclusions. Results obtained in the domains of familial relational patterns and emotional personality components seem to confirm how children's disability can significantly impact on the entire household, in particular in the case of children with ASD. This data suggest the need for intervention programs aimed at supporting the entire household, with the objective of improving coping strategies and resilience resources of the family.