Pages

DIRECTORY NO LONGER UPDATED. NO EMAILS.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Autism and Divorce

Despite evidence to the contrary, the idea of high divorce rates in parents with autistic children continues to resonate with a portion of the autism community. Big numbers make for dramatic effect. And if there's one thing we like, it's drama.
--KWombles
I wrote the following in 2010 on the inaccuracy of the oft-repeated 80% divorce rate:
A 2010 study out of Kennedy Krieger Institute today shows that this statistic is emphatically not correct: “64 percent of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) belong to a family with two married biological or adoptive parents, compared with 65 percent of children who do not have an ASD.” According to the website, researchers came up with these figures from “ data from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health[1] , they examined a nationally representative sample of 77,911 children, ages 3 to 17.”
This a myth that is prevalent on the internet and was even repeated by an Autism Speaks presenter at a conference I attended in 2010.
One place this myth is presented is at The News on “The Faces of Autism” by Adam Richardson. Granted this is a fairly old piece, dated May 2008, but it’s still relevant, considering the tendency of many writing on autism to engage in quasi-journalism and quoting (and it could be argued the making up of statistics to suit one’s purpose). Richardson writes of a mother with an autistic child:"Lindblad says more than 80 per cent of marriages with an autistic child end in divorce. She’s living proof.”
Does Richardson ascertain the accuracy of the statistic? Nope. He presents it again at the end of the piece and makes no distinction as to its accuracy:



“FACTS AND MYTHS ABOUT AUTISM 

 • The divorce rate for autistic parents is over 80 per cent.

• Not all autistic individuals possess special skills and genius abilities. Movies like Rainman created a stigma around the disorder. Less than 10 percent possess “savant” abilities shown in the popular Hollywood movie.
• Not all autistic individuals are withdrawn, avoid eye contact and engage in self-injurious behavior. Many are outgoing and work well within groups of children.”


So, is this 80% a fact or a myth, Mr. Richardson? Do you know or care? Garbage reporting like this seems to be, gasp, epidemic.
Of course, the whole autism ruins marriages and just about everything it touches isn’t new. Kristina Chew wrote more than once on the myth of high divorce rates for parents of autistic children back in 2007.
Lisa  Jo Rudy at Autism.about.com has also touched on it in the past, writing:
“In short, while I don’t honestly believe that 80% of parents with autistic children divorce (because there’s no basis for that figure), I certainly DO believe that 80% (or more) are often under extra stress.” Rudy covers the new study, noting that Disability Scoop has reported on the study’s findings.
Why do people rely on what research shows for one set of numbers and then pull out another set of numbers with no backing? And the comments are even more illuminating and proof that people rely far too often on the availability heuristic. If it’s easy to recall, then they believe it is true and representative. It’s sort of like the global warming thing: it can’t be real because it’s colder than usual where I live. Folks, there’s a reason scientific evidence trumps anecdote.
*This 80% figure is all over the internet. Susan Leiby throws it out there in an effort to get families assistance by appealing to pity: “80-90% of marriages fail when a child with autism is involved.” Another newspaper uncritically runs with the figure, as well: Denise Ryan in The Age writes with no substantiation: “As well, up to 80% of marriages fail in households where a child has an ASD.”
It keeps going, though. At TACA, Mary Romaniec writes: “The divorce rate in couples who have a child on the spectrum has been suggested to run as high as 80%.”
There seems to be a never-ending parade of folks who like to say statistics say blah blah. I completely get where the Freakonomics authors were coming from as they pointed out the pedophile numbers on the internet, a supposed even 50,000. Here a minister’s wife passes along the bad information: “Statistics estimate that 80 percent of marriages that have a child with autism fail.” No statistics don’t say that. Another urban legend is born.
This alone ought to make it clear why scientifically-minded folks tend not to rely on Joe Blow saying something. It’s usually bullshit.
And sometimes it’s myth that reaches all the way to governmental bodies, like Australia’s Parliament, where Don Randall uses the made-up statistic : “Parents of children with autism face immense challenges. Aside from the care of their child, the resulting stress is enormous, and studies show that up to 80 per cent of marriages where there is an autistic child fail.” Come on, people! Studies say. Statistics show. Where’s the actual studies, the real statistics? You heard it and it sounds good. It makes the folks who stay married appear all the more heroic and it makes it so much clearer that autism is a burden that ruins lives, right, if 80% of marriages collapse under the weight of autism?
Oh, look what I found: National Autism Association spreading the myth: The divorce rate in the autism community is estimated at 80%. In an effort to help keep families together, NAA is developing a new program that will provide marriage counseling to parents of children with autism.” I thought they were going to confirm the number before using it?: “NAA is presently conducting a national divorce survey of autism families. Several organizations and news outlets have used the often-quoted autism divorce rate of 80%–NAA hopes to confirm or update that percentage before referencing it in its program materials.” And this was all the way back in June 2007. It’s been 2.5 years; haven’t they figured it out yet? Well, as of this December, they decided to hedge it some and write: “Divorce rates are disproportionately high within the autism community. Government aide is needed for these struggling families.” They are, of course, soliciting donations.
Now, interestingly enough, in the NAA’s letter to Obama, those divorce rates: “Then again, skyrocketing divorce rates in the autism community really need our attention along with the fact that “autism” is just a word some guy came up with 70 years ago to describe a new, rare mental condition that we’re finding is actually more environmental.”
Again, high divorce rates make it so much worse, right? What does all this do? Prove that it’s about the blame-game, victimhood, everything and anything but about the autistic individuals.
Age of Autism’s loyalists buy into the whole thing kit and kaboodle; some of them even elevating it to 85%.*
What are some realistic estimates of divorce rates?
According to the National Autistic Society, “Siegal (2001) suggests that the divorce rate for couples with a child with autism is the same as that for the rest of the population.”
Kevin Leitch weighed in on the subject this past March, and it’s well worth the read. Leitch discusses the Easter Seals’ survey and its findings that showed that divorce occurred less in parents of children on the spectrum. Leitch also covers the new study at Left Brain Right Brain.
Sobsey’s (2004) conclusion regarding divorce and parenting disabled children is worth repeating in full:


“In short, evidence for increased marital discord and divorce rates among parents of children with disabilities is weak and inconsistent. Many more parents of children with disabilities report positive effects on their marriages than report negative effects, and many others recognize that having a child with a disability has little to do with the quality or durability of their marriage relationship.

There may be a very small increase in the incidence of divorce among parents of children with disabilities as compared to the general population, or there may be no increase at all. Findings are weak and inconsistent. Even if a small increase in the incidence of divorce exists, it is probably more likely that this increase is attributable to differences in parents’ attitudes and behaviour rather than any effect of children with disabilities on their parents. Whatever the causal factors, many families with children, including many families of children with disabilities, experience marital discord or divorce. Whether or not having a child with a disability is a contributing factor in some cases, marital discord and divorce are difficult for all family members. Researchers should focus future efforts on understanding how children with disabilities and their families experience divorce and what can be done to assist them during what is often a difficult time in their lives.” (p. 80)
I sincerely hope that autism organizations get it right from now on, and that this myth ends. It does a tremendous disservice to families.

(Journal) References:
Siegal, B. (2001). Quality of life: preventing mental separations and legal divorce. What we (don’t) know about the effect of autism on divorce, Advocate, 34(2), pp. 26-29. Available from the NAS Information Centre
Sobsey, D. (2004). Marital stability and marital satisfaction in families of children with disabilities: Chicken or egg?. Developmental Disabilities Bulletin, 32(1), 62-83. Full text available at http://eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/44/c2/a5.pdf
Web sources have been hyperlinked in the text itself. Siegal’s article was not directly referenced, but the quote taken from the NAS’s page.

(updated to link to Rudy’s coverage of today’s study)

7 comments:

DedicatedHosting4u said...

Nice to see you here.
I really liked reading your message. What is the wonderful and profound post you have written here. Totally worth reading! Many things I learned from this article.

DedicatedHosting4u.com

Isabella Math said...

Nothing is not possible in this word.
Herpes I cried out for 8moths had a cure and was making use of the Medication that never wanted a life living on drugs, I applied Antibiotics, he prescribed for me the acyclovir(Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), andvalacyclovir (Valtrex).
They never get me cured.
My God keep blessing you and your Family. Dr
ODEY ABANG, your a powerful Herbalist fir your work in my life
I wish you know how I feel inside me when I was making use of does tablets that never could there get me cured. I had to search about some of my favourite blogs when I thought about Dr Odey abang from the testimonies of patients and I remember a friend who told me I should try Dr. Odey Abang herbal medicine. He told me the man can cure me,but was shy and feel its dirty taking in herbs made with African herbalists.
You need to know I would have been cured before now since I knew him then, but still interested in letting you that was my punishment.
Thanks reading my article, feel good and not make my mistake, I love testimonies and explanations of the new beginning is all I hope for
Think about your live and use herbs to get you cured of your challenge on
HIV/Aids
SYPHILIS
DIABETES
CANCER
ALL CAN BE CURED WITH MANY OTHERS BY DR. ODEY ABANG
His email is for you so you speak to him

Odeyabangherbalhome@gmail.com
WhatsApp number +2349015049094

medoo said...

.
شركة كشف تسربات المياة
عزيزي العميل هل أنت لديك مشاكل من ارتفاع فواتير المياه، شركة كشف تسربات المياه بالرياض

هل لديك مشاكل في وجود تسربات مياه بجدران المنزل المطابخ والحمامات والأسقف بالمنزل؟
الحل لدينا فقط عليك التواصل مع شركتنا عبر أرقامنا المتواجدة وخدمة العملاء سوف تجيب على اتصالك بأقصى سرعة.
تسربات المياه من الأشياء المزعجة والتي أصبحت من الأمور المتواجدة لدينا بكل منزل ونبحث عن حلول لها ونجد الكثير من الاشخاص يبحثون عن شركات لحل تلك المشكلة.
لابد أولا من معرفة السبب وراء هذا التسرب وأماكن التسرب وهذا ما تقدمة الشركة لكل عملائها، فالشركة تمتلك أجهزة ومعدات حديثة وتعمل بكل دقة وتقنية عالية جدا للكشف عن التسربات.
وتعمل الشركة على حل هذة المشكلة نهائيا دون أن تتعرض من جديد لهذة المشكلة، وهذا يكون من خلال الخبراء المتواجدين بالشركة وأيضا الفنيين الذين يمتلكون كفائة عالية الجودة جدا ويقومون على تقديم الخدمة للعملاء على اعلى مستوي.
شركة نقل عفش بالرياض
أعزائي العملاء مرحبا بكم في شركتنا لتقديم خدمة مقل العفش بالرياض، فهي من ارخص الشركات لنقل الاثاث بالرياض.
تمتلك شركة نقل عفش بالرياض المزيد من المهندسين والعملاء الذين يمتلكون خبرة عالية ومتطورة في مجال خدمات نقل العفش بالرياض.
شركة نقل عفش بالرياض

تمتلك الشركة أحدث المعدات والأجهزة الحديثة، لتعمل على النقل من المكان المطلوب إلى المكان المحدد باستخدام أحدث الأجهزة التي تساعدنا على الحفاظ على العفش ووصولة بكل وكل هذا في أسرع وقت وأقل التكاليف الممكنة.
خدمات الشركة
تقدم الشركة خدمة نقل العفش بكل أمان دون أي خدوش.
تقدم الشركة خدمة تغليف العفش، والحفاظ علية من أي ضرر.
تقدم الشركة خدمة تخزين العفش، لكل من يبحث عن أماكن للتخزين عليك الأنصال الآن بنا.
نقل العفش منازل السكني والتجاري و الفندقي.
شركة رش مبيدات
أعزائي عملائنا الكرام اليوم نوجه إليكم التوجه والعناية عند استخدام مبيدات، فمن الممكن أن تلجأ إلى شركة مختصة في هذا المجال مثل شركتنا، شركة رش مبيدات بالرياض

التي تستخدم في الرش المواد الفعالة والتي تكون آمنة جدا وصحية ولا تضر أي أحد،وتقدم الشركة.
رش المبيدات المنزلية.
رش مبيدات البلدية.
تعمل الشركة على حل مشاكل انسداد المجاري للمنازل والفلل والشركات.
تمتلك الشركة أحدث الأدوات والمعدات التي تستخدمها في حل مشاكل الروائح الكريهة الانسداد
تضمن الشركة لكل عملائها جودة تقديم الخدمة ولا تحتاج إلى حلها مرة أخرى.
لا تقتصر الشركة بحل مشاكل الانسداد فقط فأيضا الشركة تعمل على التعقيم والتطهير وتساعد على إزالة كل الروائح المنفرة التي تتواجد بالمكان.
لا داعي للقلق فأنت تتعامل مع شركة محترفة في مجالها وعند التواصل معنا لا تحتاج إلى حل مشاكل الانسداد مرة أخرى.
شركة روضة الرياض للخدمات المنزلية
عزيزي العميل إذا كنت تبحث عن شركة موثوق بها لحل كل مشاكل المنزل فأنت بحاجة إلى شركة روضة الرياض للخدمات المنزلية.
خدمات شركة روضة الرياض للخدمات المنزلية
تعمل الشركة أيضا على حل إبادة و مكافحة الحشرات المنزلية، مثل البق والفئران الأبراص وأيضا الصراصير وغيرها الكثير.
تساهم الشركة في حل رفع فواتير المياه والحد منها.
تعمل الشركة على عزل الأسطح بجميع الأنواع، وأيضا عزل الأسطح، العزل الحراري للأسطح، بحث عن العزل الحراري للمباني، العزل الحراري للسقف، أنواع العزل في المباني pdf، عزل الأسطح بالجير، أنواع العزل pdf، عزل الأسطح من الرطوبة
تعمل الشركة على حل مشاكل الخزانات وتعمل على عزل خزانات مياه الشرب، وعزل خزانات الماء، وحل أسعار عزل الخزانات، وعزل الخزانات pdf، أفضل عزل للخزانات، فالشركة تقدم ابرز طرق عزل خزانات المياه.
تقدم الشركة أيضا خدمة نقل العفش من داخل الرياض وإلى دبي وأيضا داخل أي مكان بالمملكة.
تعمل الشركة على خدمة تنظيف

Dose Pharmacy said...

Excellent article! We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the great writing.

Engr Eric Davis said...

Hello to the word, I'm Engr Eric David, I have confirmed and till now I'll still anouced to the public and the people around me that the best way to get rid of this health challenges is to contact the relaible Herbalist for herbal cures.
I read deaply to have believe and try to made used of the medicine. When I was diagnosed on 10/10/2015, it was only the English prescribed I made use of all through, it was a very big stress for me, I had a friend who introduced me to to the great Herbalist of African, Dr. Odey Abang he's very popular now in my State, Anchorage, Alaska where I lives. I contacted him as my friend directed me to him for a help. Glory to God, my case is settle among many others are My two Cousins, James and John with wife's he cures from HIV/ AIDS, And till now, none of this had been confirmed in us, feel so blessed and happy to be back again as I was being born. I have been diagnosed severally and still shows nothing in us, Dr. Odey Abang is a God's sent Herbalist
You can reach as well as inform your loves ones to get ride of this deathly viruses.
You can reach him in either way
Email-
odeyabangherbalhome@gmail.com
God bless

Thomas Vivian said...

Always, anywhere and anytime,I feel very comfortable now all to the work of Dr Odey Abang,the Herbalist who prepare for me the remedies to my health challenges.
I could feel more comfortable when he explained to me how dangerous it's caring Herpes with me getting affected easily with Other sexually transmitted infections. Genital sores increases my risk of transmitting or contracting other sexually transmitted infections, including AIDS.
Newborn infection. ...
Bladder problems. ...
Meningitis. ...
Rectal inflammation (proctitis).
I was so scared when he says that because I found a lover who ran into it and had a shock on me after the checkup and develop stroke.
This has been my earnest prayers for the physician therapist to come in with positive solutions to remedies Herpes and most viral infections. I'm now free and I thank God for leading me to see others getting cured with Herbs. I decided to try and found out that the best way I would have done was to get rid of it and give my testimony. Glory to God I became free after I received his medicine from the DHL and applied as instructed. Till date I had no SYMPTOMS nor virus to detect of me, I called him and thankful for what he did,and ask if he could cure my stroke boyfriend,he said yes and did the same preparation to my boyfriend for his stroke and Recoverd from it. Nothing is impossible with Herbs IN CURES, you're the next if you will be willing to apply his medicine and instructions on how to manage.
Sickness has no right to dwell on us,you can reach him at his email address
For your immediate response to health

odeyabangherbalhome@gmail.com

Sierra Nibbe said...

I TESTED POSITIVE TO HIV SINCE 2018

I was told by my doctor that there's no possible cure for it but it can be suppressed with the use of medication!! I felt depressed & sad. I started taking my medication. I felt frustrated, so I tried to seek help online when I came across this website (https://chiefdrluckyherbaltherapy.wordpress.com/) of a doctor called Chief Dr Lucky.  Also I saw a lot of testimonials about him on how he uses natural herbal medicine to cure HIV AIDS and numerous Infections & different kinds of disease as well. So I contacted him and told him my problems after a brief consultation with him. He Prepared and  sent me the herbal medicine and I took it as he instructed me, Then he called me 3weeks after to go and have a check-up!! It brought out testing negative, I felt calm a bit, and the doctors day for more clarity I will have to come back after 1week of which I did and tested negative for the second time !! I am so wow and grateful to this doctor whose medicine has NO SIDE EFFECT, there's no special diet when taking the medicine. He also have cure for 
+HERPES 
+CANCER
+HEPATITIS
+HIV/AIDS
+PCOS
+FIBROID
You can contact him via Email: chiefdrlucky@gmail.com or whatsapp +2348132777335

Followers

Button!

Autism Blogs Directory

Related Sites

General Science-Related Blogs