Fwd: Fw: Autism parent stress research

[Guest guest]

Autism parent stress research

> Harold Longenecker

> P.O. Box 64

> Dresden, ME 04342

>

> haroldl@...

>

> Dear Jan,

> I am writing to ask for your help in recruiting parents of children with

> autism for my dissertation research project. I am studying parent stress

> related to having a child with autism and the impact of educational

> programming.

> There is little question that parenting a child with autism is extremely

> demanding. Since autism represents one of the most severe and complex

> behavioral and developmental disorders, it is not surprising that families

> of affected children should experience stress and difficulties in

> adjustment. While educators and researchers have traditionally focused on

> enhancing skills used by parents to improve parent-child interactions and

> promote skill development in their children, they are now increasingly

aware

> of the presence of stress related issues in mothers and fathers of

children

> with autism who appear to be at risk for stress related disorders.

> While the benefits of education are clear in terms of acquisition of

> skills, school can also precipitate parent stress and worry. Very little

> research addresses how involvement in an educational program may

contribute

> to or ameliorate parent stress levels.

> I am asking that you consider sharing the attached letter with your

parents

> of children with autism in hopes that they might consider participating in

> my study. I am specifically interested in identifying parents of children

> with autism who are up to eight years of age. Please feel free to post

this

> letter in print, newsletter or email. If I can help facilitate this

process

> in anyway, please let me know.

> Thank you very much for your consideration.

>

> Warm regards,

>

>

> Harold Longenecker, M.A.

>