Family quality of life and autism spectrum disorder: Comparative diagnosis of needs and impact on family life

Families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) face ongoing challenges that can affect their family life. Helping those families cope with the impact of ASD and promote more positive family and child outcomes requires research to better understand the differential aspects of quality of life for those families. This article examined the quality of life of 77 families (n = 45 families with children with ASD aged 0–12 years old, and n = 32 families with other developmental disabilities). The Family Quality of Life Scale (FQOL) was applied. The relationships between importance and satisfaction were analyzed, contrasting differences between families, and studying the influence of age. Results show the presence of common needs, as the higher ratings in importance versus satisfaction evidenced, but also specific and more evident needs in families of children with ASD, motivated by the differential characteristics of the disorder and their environment. Age was relevant to focus support on priority areas. The need to adapt to family individualities to promote their quality of life was concluded. Those findings reinforce the importance of bringing together theoretical knowledge and evaluation of professional practice as a framework for converting the latter into good practices and quality actions. •In family life with ASD and other disorders presents differential and common needs.•Satisfaction is lower than importance in all dimensions of family quality of life.•Health and safety top the list of demands from families with a child with any disorder.•Supports for the person are especially needed in families of children with ASD.•Specific nature of ASD requires differential attention, with age as a key factor.