This paper presents quantitative and qualitative findings from an interdisciplinary research project exploring student teachers' positive perceptions of people on the autism spectrum. The set of findings reported in this paper asked 704 student teachers from one university in England (n = 191), Finland (n = 251) and Sweden (n = 262) to write down…

This initial open feasibility trial reports on feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the manualized, group-based psychoeducational intervention for grandparents of preschool-aged children with ASD provided by the outpatient habilitation services in Stockholm, Sweden. One hundred and twenty non-custodial grandparents participated in a 6-h…

This study explored the adaptation of parents raising a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) specifically the contributory role of positive perceptions, coping, self-efficacy, and social support. One hundred and thirty-six parents of children with a diagnosis of ASD completed a battery of self-report questionnaires via an online survey.…

Sixteen adults (diagnosed or self-identified as autistic) participated in one of two iterations of a ten-week autistic-led programme, aimed at helping autistic adults learn more about autism within a peer group context. Motivations for taking part in the programme included a desire for: (1) exploration of autism; (2) empowerment; and (3) the…

The political drive for inclusion means there are increasing numbers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) being educated alongside their neurotypical peers. Pervasive victimisation has prompted the development of peer interventions targeting stigma. This study evaluated the 'Understanding Our Peers with Pablo' programme for effects on…

Although extracurricular music activities are common in Hong Kong, private music teachers' perceptions of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are underexplored in research in this context. This study examined private music teachers' knowledge of ASD and their attitudes toward students with ASD in Hong Kong, and the relationship between…

To address the limited research on diverse families of children with ASD, we examined the impact of ASD on 46 Latina and 56 non-Latina White mothers from a resiliency perspective. We explored perceptions of family problems, optimism and pessimism among mothers of child with ASD between 1 and 22 years old. Mothers were recruited through support…

Applying to university can be an anxiety-provoking time for many autistic students, though enrolment can be increased by actively involving them in transition planning. We provide an evaluation of a transition to university pilot programme (Autism Summer School) for autistic students (16-19 years) who are seeking to apply/attend university. The…

This study examines associations between dimensions of religiosity/spirituality (R/S) and anxiety symptoms in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Mothers' positive ways of thinking and romantic relationship satisfaction were examined as mediators of associations. The extent to which child ASD symptom severity and maternal…

Prior research on the sibling relationship in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has included only one sibling per family. We used multi-level modeling to examine aspects of the sibling relationship in 207 adults who have a brother or sister with ASD from 125 families, investigating variability in sibling relationship quality and…

The transition outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families are less than desirable. A survey of parent stressors, resources, coping/appraisals, and adaptation to transition was completed by 226 parents. The mediating mechanisms between stressors and parent outcomes were identified. At the indicator level, three…

This study examined gender differences in the relationship between dispositional optimism, coping, and depressive symptoms of Hispanic mothers (n = 46) and fathers (n = 43) of children with autism spectrum disorder. Coping was hypothesized to mediate the relationship between optimism and depressive symptoms. The results revealed that mothers…

Little is known about peer attitudes toward college students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Affective, behavioral, and cognitive attitudes toward vignette characters displaying behaviors characteristic of ASD were examined among 224 four-year university students who were randomly assigned to one of three labeling conditions for the primary…

This cross-sectional study provides a general profile of mothers of children with ASDs in Kuwait and examines their use of social support resources and coping strategies (using the Brief COPE questionnaire). The majority of mothers reported decreased ability to perform social duties (62.4%) and take care of themselves (50.5%). Overall, 57.7% of…

The current study uses the actor-partner interdependence model to examine the predictors of relationship satisfaction for mothers and fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Sixty-seven couples completed measures of optimism, benefit finding, coping strategies, social support, and relationship satisfaction. Results indicated that…