informal supports

Background: The current study examined the role of informal supports in predicting resilience among families of children with autism spectrum disorder. Methods: Participants included 153 caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder, who were between the ages of 2 and 18 years (M = 10.45; SD = 4.32). Caregivers completed a measure of satisfaction with informal supports as well as the Family Resilience Assessment Scale-autism spectrum disorder.

This study examined who provides informal (or unpaid) supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Participants included 657 adult siblings of people with disabilities who responded to a national survey about informal supports in the areas of recreation, employment, and housing. Results indicated that most people with IDD received informal supports, with parents and sibling respondents most often providing those supports. Support was most commonly received in recreation, as opposed to housing or employment.