Abstract
Background: Autism is one of the developmental disorders, characterized by qualitative impairments in communication and social interaction and by restricted, repetitive, and stere-otyped patterns of behaviors and interests.
Aim of Study: To assess burden experienced by family members of autistic children in Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia.
Subjects and Methods: Following a cross sectional research design a total of 157 caregivers of autistic children registered at three rehabilitative centers in Aseer Region were included. The Arabic version, of the validated Zarit Burden Questionnaire was used for data collection.
Results: Age of participants ranged from 23 to 61 years with a mean ± SD of 36.5±6.7 years, and 58% were females. Most care-givers (86.6%) experienced burden, while 49% had mild grade of burden, 35% had moderate grade while 2.5% had severe grade. Experienced burden did not differ signifi-cantly according to participants' gender or educational levels. However, those who experienced burden were significantly older than those who did not (p=0.03). The social component of burden was the most common among participants (89.2%), followed by physical (61.8%), financial (60.5%) and lastly the psychological (56.1%). Experienced financial burden did not differ significantly according to participants' gender or educational levels. However, those who experienced financial or psychological burden were significantly older than those who did not (p=0.02 and p=0.04, respectively). Experienced physical burden did not differ significantly according to participants' gender or age. However, those who experienced physical burden had lower levels of education than those who did not (p=0.05). Experienced social burdens did not differ significantly according to participants' personal characteristics.
Conclusions: Most caregivers, especially older ones, experience burden due to their autistic relative. The burden is mainly social, followed by physical, financial and psycho-logical burdens. Financial burden is more among older car-egivers, while the physical burden is more among less educated caregivers.
Recommendations: Support for caregivers of autistic children is highly needed to minimize their experienced burden. Provided support for caregivers should include social, physical, financial and psychological dimensions.