Caregiver Burden in Asian Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Role of Family Therapy

Family therapy is a form of psychotherapy which focuses on the whole family as a unit and advocates nurturing interpersonal interactions to affect change and development. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) results in a psychological, economic and physical strain in the caregivers and family. Evidence shows that family therapy facilitates communication, strengthens relations and enhances coping in both persons with ASD and their caregivers. We attempt to gauge the caregiver burden present in Asian families regarding children with ASD and explore the role of family therapy for that population. We examine the ethical and cultural consideration of family therapy in autistic individuals in an Asian setting and provide recommendations for mental health professionals through this narrative review.