The Relationship Between Adaptive Functioning and Social Responsiveness in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Caregiver Quality of Life (QoL)

Background: The difficulties individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience generally present across multiple contexts and may have an impact on their quality of life (QoL). QoL is a complex, multidimensional concept that has a variety of definitions, one of which is a comprehensive approach to measuring outcomes that evaluates an individual’s psychosocial, emotional, and physical well-being (Fayers & Machin, 2007).  It is important to understand the impact of ASD diagnosis on QoL in both individuals diagnosed with ASD and their caregivers (Humphrey & Lewis, 2008). Research indicates that many factors are expected to influence an individual’s QoL and has indicated that individuals with ASD are expected to have lower QoL due to functional difficulties associated with the diagnosis (Clark, Magill-Evans, & Koning, 2014). However, minimal research has been completed on additional factors that may impact QoL in both children diagnsoed with ASD and their caregivers.

Objectives: This study explored how caregivers’ report of child adaptive functioning and social responsiveness is related to caregiver QoL. 

Methods: Children with previous diagnosis of ASD (aged 8-11 with caregiver-reported functional verbal and cognitive skills) and their caregivers completed questionnaires prior to participation in a social skills group. Caregivers (n=25) completed questionnaires that assessed child adaptive functioning (BASC-2) and social responsiveness (SRS-2) and caregiver QoL (Health Related Quality of Life and Generic Core Parent Report on the PedsQL). Children (n=25) completed a self-report questionnaire of their QoL (Generic Core Child Report on the PedsQL).   

Results: Caregivers’ and children’s self-report of QoL was similarly high (caregiver: M =56.39 out of 81.52, SD =13.64; child: M =73.90 out of 96.73, SD =15.58). Children’s adaptive functioning (BASC-2) was positively correlated with caregivers’ QoL (Health Related Quality of Life: [r(24) = .56, p = .020]; Generic Core Parent Report: [r(14) = .69, p = .003]). Children’s social responsiveness (SRS-2) was negatively correlated with caregivers’ Health Related Quality of Life [r(14) = -.53, p = .034].  

Conclusions: Preliminary data indicate that stronger child social skills are correlated with lower health-related QoL in caregivers, suggesting that increased social insight may be related to increased caregiver awareness of health-related concerns. Additionally, stronger child adaptive functioning was correlated with higher caregiver QoL, which implies that child adaptive functioning and quality QoL in caregivers may be related.