AUTISM: A PSYCHOLOGICAL CHALLENGE FOR THE PATIENT AND THE FAMILY

Objectives: Research was aimed at the comparison of the self-concept in the sibling of the children having autism with the normal children siblings in the perspective of the psychological well-being of the mothers. Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional research study.Place and Duration: Research was completed from October, 2011 to March, 2013 in the various children institutes of Lahore dealing with the children having autism.Method: These children were diagnosed autism in the institutes that cater the special requirements of the children; various children were included in the research after they meet the criteria. Siblings with counterparts were evaluated for self-concept and the assessment of the mothers was carried out in the perspective of psychological well-being.Results: Research observed that typical children sibling self-concept was poorer in comparison to the normal children siblings in terms of autism. Children's mothers with autism were more depressed in comparison to the mothers of the normal children. Poor self-concept was associated with the autism in the child and it was a significant predicator for behavioral mal-adjustment, popularity, scholastic status, satisfaction and happiness related sibling's self-concept. Conclusion: Difference in the sibling's self-concept in the 2 groups was attributed to the autism present in the children. Keywords: Autism, Siblings, Self-Concept and Mothers psychological well-being.