Factors associated with the Attitude and Knowledge and Behavior of Mothers Raising a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ABSTRACT: Mothers increasingly participate in the education and treatment of their child with autism spectrum disorder. Parents have expanded roles in life to meet their children’s needs. Encompassing these multiple roles, reflect a mother sense of empowerment. The concept of empowerment assess as both process and a state of individual characteristic; as an attitude, perception, ability, knowledge and action. The purpose of this study is examining knowledge, attitude and behavior of mothers of mothers who have children with autism spectrum disorder in a concept of empowerment. This study is descriptive study. Target population consisted of 115 mothers of children with autism disorder who referring to autism institute of Tabriz city, 2012. Data were collected by completing questionnaire including two parts of demographic and Family Empowerment Scale (FES). the result of multiple regression analysis suggested that mother age and education and period after receiving diagnosis significantly can predict the level of mother knowledge, attitude and behavior in a concept of empowerment. According to the result of this research we can help to mothers to obtain knowledge in circumstances of mothers, children and family needs and choose effective ways to empowering them.