Parenting Experiences in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Williams Syndrome

<p dir="ltr">This dissertation examined parent experiences in autism and Williams Syndrome (WS). The first chapter was a systematic review of parent and child factors associated with parent sensitivity in autism. Based on collated findings, parent sensitivity was significantly and positively associated with child behaviour towards their parent and future child language gains. Parent sensitivity was consistently linked with parent-child attachment and parental attitudes about the child and their diagnosis, however, child behaviour towards the parent was not controlled for in these analyses. The review underscored the importance of considering individual factors when endorsing parent interactive behaviours, such as parent sensitivity, in autism. The second chapter was a cross-syndrome comparison study examining parenting stress, measured via the Parenting Stress Index 4th Edition- Short Form (PSI-4-SF) and parent mental health, measured via the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), in autism and WS. These factors were examined in terms of their association with each other, and with child social functioning and restricted, repetitive behaviours as measured by the Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS-2). Group comparisons and comparisons of correlations were also conducted. Data from parents and their children, aged 2–5 years, with either autism (<i>n</i>=17) or WS (<i>n</i>=17), showed no significant differences in levels of parenting stress and mental health. However, the WS group showed significantly greater positive associations between child social functioning differences and parenting stress and mental health, as compared to the autism group. Results suggested that parents of children with WS may be more psycho-emotionally affected by their child’s social and behavioural differences, as compared to parents of autistic children. This may be partially due to the rarity of WS, which can limit coping resources, such as specialised parent support. The final chapter was a cross-sectional study investigating parent and child interactive behaviours that were most strongly associated with dyadic reciprocity in autism and WS. Individual factors most strongly associated with these interactive behaviours were also identified. Data was derived from standardised questionnaires (PSI-4-SF, DASS, SRS-2) and coded observations of parents and their children, aged 2-4 years, diagnosed with either autism (<i>n</i>=15) or WS (<i>n</i>=15). In the autism group, child involvement with their parent and parent sensitivity most strongly explained reciprocity. Child involvement was most strongly explained by child social functioning differences, and parent sensitivity was most strongly explained by parenting stress regarding the child's difficulties. In the WS group, reciprocity was most strongly explained by parent limit-setting, which was most strongly explained by parent stress. The study showed how interactive behaviours important to parent-child reciprocity differed according to diagnosis and individual factors. These are important to consider when tailoring parent-mediated interventions to each dyad. The studies collectively carry implications for supporting parents as agents in their child's development. Parent interactive strategies to increase parent-child reciprocity and expand joint attention are examined, and individual parent and child factors associated with the implementation and efficacy of these, are identified. Longitudinal research may build on these findings by examining predictive associations with respect to parent interactive behaviours, individual factors, and child outcomes.</p>