Family Support Program for Parents of Adolescents and Adults with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome in Japan

Background: In Japan, there are many autistic people who have secondary mental disease, and they had been improperly treated based on cultural problems. In Japan, usually single adults live with their families and have been close relationship between parents and autistic adults even in adulthood.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to reveal an effect on the program for parents of adolescents and adults with High-functioning Autism(HFA) and Asperger syndrome(AS) in Japan. The programs were focused on treatments for Secondary mental, emotional and behavioral problems for adults with HFA and AS.

Methods: The participants were 10 mothers for adults with HFA and AS. We organized two groups for them, and the program was composed with 5 sessions; understanding traits of Autistic people, understanding Secondary mental emotional and behavioral problems, understand mother-child interaction, understanding herself, and how mother response positively for their child’s behavior. Mothers discussed each other in group settings. Their behaviors in daily-life and belief of mothers were evaluated each session and after programs using self-reports of mothers. we assessed mother's change using Parenting Questionnaireionare and child's behavioral changes using Vineland Adative behavior Scales

Results: In the program, mothers could notice their parenting styles depending on Japanese traditional ways and that style could not match their children’s autistic traits. Also they could understand their negative response for their children’s behaviors, because of difference from standard Japanese way of behaviors. Mothers could learn how to response positively for behaviors of their children and Children’s behaviors gradually changed, especially anger expression decreased.

Conclusions: This program encouraged parent’s understanding of belief and behaviors for themselves. It is important to notice mothers’ traditional beliefs that every adult should do “Normal” behaviors and autistic behaviors should response negatively. It is also important to treat cultural problems for support parents of adults with HFA and AS.