How+it+Affects+the+Family

= How it Affects the Family =

=== Just as Autism can affect the child's life, it also is a challenge for the family. Brothers, sisters, grandparents, parents, and even cousins have to get used to it. For siblings it can be really hard because of attention. Autistic kids require a lot more supervision and needs that other kids don't necessarily need. Brothers and sisters can get really jealous and feel excluded easily. Most put effort in trying to make the other children feel included but of course they have different opinions. ===

=== It can hit hard on marriage also. It puts a strain because so much more is needed with autistic children. The divorce rate for children with autism was reported to be around 80% in the past couple years. Income can be stressful for families. Having to pay for therapists, doctors, and medicine can be very costly. If the parents are fighting it can cause stress to the entire family. Autism can be stressful but also a commitment. ===

=== Autistic kids usually have a very strict schedule. Thing such as their morning routine, eating times, and going to bed. They also can be sensitive to new places. If you have family traditions like going to a resort or the cabin, you might have to live without them. That's another thing that affects the siblings and maybe even the entire family. You could have one parent taking care of the autistic child, and the other doing something else. If the parents don't have almost everything under control, things could go wrong just like that. ===