What parents of autistic children carry

Across many studies, parents of autistic children report more parenting stress than parents of children who are developing typically. A 2013 review that pooled studies comparing the two groups found the difference was large. Other research has linked feeling supported by others with lower stress.

What this means for you: if you feel stretched thin, you're reacting the way many parents in your position do. It isn't a sign you're doing it wrong. Support from other people, even a little, is linked with feeling less overwhelmed.

A 2020 review of 31 studies, covering more than 9,000 parents of autistic children, estimated that about 31% had depression and about 33% had an anxiety disorder. Results varied a lot between studies.

What this means for you: roughly one parent in three is a lot of people. If you've been feeling low or anxious for weeks, it's worth telling your own doctor. Looking after your mental health is part of looking after your family.

The load is financial too. A US study of national survey data from 2002 to 2008 found that mothers of autistic children earned 35% less than mothers of children with other health conditions, and worked about 7 fewer hours a week. The study shows a link, not a cause.

What this means for you: if work, money and appointments feel impossible to balance, the system is part of the reason. Coverage like Medicaid, CHIP and school services exists to share some of that cost, and Find care can help you see where to start.