Education Law

A Diagnosis of Autism does not mean a Divorce according to a new study by: Nicole T. Jorwic

By Charles Fox

Divorce rates of couples who have a child with autism have been over-inflated according to a study. The rates going around were as high as 80% but a new study indicates that an autism diagnosis does not predict divorce.

This finding is based on data from telephone interviews with parents of 77,911 children ages 3 to 17 across the US which were conducted through the government?s 2007 National Survey of Children?s Health. Of those interviewed for the survey, about 1,000 had a child with autistic disorder, Asperger?s syndrome or pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified, Freedman says.

The likelihood of divorce did not appear to be impacted by the severity of a child?s autism, but children who had autism in addition to a psychiatric disorder such as depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or behavioral issues were more likely to have parents who divorced, the results indicate.

As a daughter of parents who have a child with autism this study was actually surprising to me. While 80% always seemed a little high, I have seen what a couple and a family go through when autism is in the family. My parents struggled I am sure a lot more then I even know since I was a kid at the time, but in the end it made them stronger, this can easily go the other way. So while 80% may be inflated, I would guess that it is still higher then the national average. 

Full post as published by Special Education Law Blog on December 30, 2010 (boomark / email).