Abstract :
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children exhibit range of behaviors that might have implication to their functional status. Studies shown parenting style may be influence by these behaviors or vice versa. Hence it is important to understand these relationships, as parents are an important team member in ASD children management. This study explored the relationship between the parenting style and the behaviors shown by the ASD children as well as with the family socioeconomic status among others. Parenting Style and Dimension Questionnaire (PSDQ) and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were used in this cross-sectional quantitative research involving 153 respondents. The most common type of parenting style was authoritative parenting (M=3.89, SD=0.43). SDQ analysis shown that these children showed behavior of hyperactiveness (M=5.92, SD=2.34), followed by peer problem (M=5.28, SD=1.98), prosocial behavior (M=4.85, SD=2.58), conduct behavior (M=3.22, SD=1.81), and lastly was emotional symptoms (M=2.67, SD=2.22). There was a moderate correlation between parenting style and behavior of ASD child. Authoritative style have significant correlation r = 0.303** (P<0.01) with positive(strength) behaviors. However, there was significant correlation between behavior difficulties(negative) with both authoritarian (r = 0.380** (P<0.01)) and permissive (r = 0.330**, P<0.01) parenting style. Parents of ASD children in study preferred authoritative parenting style. Finding indicated the parenting style is influenced by the positive or negative behaviors of ASD children. There is need to explore this concept in larger samples that could help therapist to develop a management guideline the involves both ASD children and their parents.
