The Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Comparison with Other Neuro-Developmental Disorders in Children on the Family: Single Centre Experience

BACKGROUND: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), especially autism spectrum disorder (ASD), have a substantial impact on the family, with a consequent decrease in the quality of life. The current study was undertaken to understand if having ASD contributed to a higher impact on families compared to other NDD and to understand additional factors impacting families of children with either disorder in a low-middle income country (LMIC) setting. METHODS: Impact of ASD and other NDD along with sociodemographic factors was examined, by a retrospective analysis, among 540 children in a tertiary care center in South India. RESULTS: Both ASD and NDD had high, but comparable, impact on the family. Being a girl child, having seizures, and having sleep problems predicted a higher impact. CONCLUSIONS: In children with NDD, managing co-morbidities such as achieving better seizure control and addressing sleep-related problems may improve the impact of NDD on the family. Gender disparity in disability needs to be studied within the local cultural context.