Methods: A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study was con-
ducted with 75 parents/primary caregivers of children with autism.
Using the McCubbin and Patterson model of family behavior, adaptive
behaviors of children with autism, family support networks, parenting
stress, and parent coping were measured. Findings and Conclusions: An
association between low adaptive functioning in children with autism
and increased parenting stress creates a need for additional family sup-
port as parents search for different coping strategies to assist the family
with ongoing and new challenges. Professionals shold have up-to-date
Received 14 November 2010; accepted 13 January 2011;