Latefa Ali Dardas

Uncovering the Veil: Arab Parents of Children with Autism Latefa Ali Dardas

Little information exists on parenting a child with autism in the Arab world. Arabs are united in a shared culture that is expected to have significant influence on parenting experiences. In most Arab countries, parents who have a child with autism have limited access to professional support services. Coupled with low socio-economic status, low employment status, and poor household conditions, those parents are at increased risk for severe psychological distress and poor quality of life. This book came to investigate the psychosocial impacts of raising children with autism on Arab parents. The book is considered the first attempt to provide information on how the health of Arab parents of children with autism crosses lines with their stress levels, coping strategies, quality of life, demographic characteristics, and cultural context. This effort should help clinicians and policy makers in planning and delivering support services to parents at risk for serious adverse health consequences from their physically and psychologically demanding work as caregivers and reduced attention to their own health.