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Background: Parental self‐efficacy describes parents' self‐perceived competence in fulfilling their roles. The Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC) is one of the most commonly used self‐report instruments, allowing for parental self‐efficacy measurement. Methods: This paper summarizes the results of three studies (total N = 2088) conducted to examine factor structure, internal consistency, test–retest reliability and criterion validity of the Polish version of PSOC (PSOC‐PL). The studies were carried out among parents (mothers and fathers) of typically developing 14‐ and 15‐year‐olds (Study 1, n = 1404) as well as among parents of typically developing children aged 6–16 (Study 2, n = 248), parents of typically developing children and children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (Study 3, n = 436, ages ranged from 6 to 13). Results: Confirmatory factor analysis (Study 1) demonstrated an acceptable fit of the theorized two‐factor model, with theorized Satisfaction and Efficacy factors. The subscales' internal consistencies were satisfactory across all studies (Studies 1–3), and PSOC's test–retest reliability (Study 2) over a 3‐week interval was very high. Parents of children with developmental disorders (Study 3) reported lower efficacy than parents of typically developing children. Conclusions: The results of these three studies attest that the Polish version of PSOC is a reliable and valid measure of parental self‐efficacy beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children born to migrant parents have higher rates of language difficulties, intellectual disability and autism. This study explores the relationship between migration, ethnicity and reasons for early years referrals to community paediatrics in a diverse multi‐cultural population in a city in south west England. Methods: Observational retrospective study from a community paediatric service serving a multi‐cultural urban population from June 2012 to February 2016. We tested associations of ethnicity and parental birth origin with reason for referral (developmental or non‐developmental) for children under 5 years old and estimated crude rate ratios for referrals using population census data. Results: Data were available for 514 children (52% white or mixed race, 16% Asian, 21% African diaspora, and 11.5% Somali); 53% had two UK‐born parents while 22% had two migrant (non‐UK‐born) parents. Referrals were for developmental reasons in 307 (60%) including 86 for possible autism. Parental birth origin and ethnicity were associated with reason for referral (p < 0.001). Children from African diaspora, Asian or Somali backgrounds had more than twice the rate (rate ratio [RR] 2.37, 95% CI 1.88–2.99, p < 0.001) of developmental referrals compared with white or mixed‐race children. Children of Somali or African diaspora ethnicity were, respectively, six‐times (RR 5.99, 95% CI 3.24–10.8, p < 0.001) and four times (RR 4.23, 95% CI 2.44–7.29, p < 0.001) more likely to be referred for possible autism spectrum than their white or mixed‐race peers. Developmental referral as a proportion of all referrals was twice as high among children with one migrant parent (20.4%) and three times as high among children with two migrant parents (29.5%), compared with children whose parents were both UK‐born (10.7%). Conclusions: This study supports the importance of ethnicity and parental migration as factors in young children experiencing developmental difficulties, especially concerns about social communication or autism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been shown to have unique mental health vulnerabilities that community support may buffer. Positive caregiver mental health can stimulate family resilience behaviours, such as strong communication and problem‐solving. Further, community support has been found to be related to caregiver mental health, as well as improved child functioning. The current study aims to investigate caregiver mental health as a mediator between community support and family resilience in families of a child with an autism spectrum disorder. Methods: Data obtained from caregivers of 654 children with a reported diagnosis of ASD were utilized from the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) public database. Results: Community support was positively correlated with family resilience and caregiver mental health. Bivariate correlations indicated significant positive associations between community support and family resilience. Caregiver mental health, significantly, partially mediated the relationship between community support and family resilience. Conclusions: The present study provides important insight into fostering caregiver health as a strategy to promote family resilience behaviours. Interventions designed to address family resilience behaviours among families of children with ASD should focus on ways that positively impact caregiver mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) remain vulnerable during the Covid‐19 outbreak due to significant changes to their daily routines, social interactions and diets. In addition, these challenges may be exacerbated for children living in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) such as South Africa where there are already barriers such as poverty, access to resources and availability of support. Understanding the impact of the Covid‐19 outbreak on children with ASD is imperative in order to create awareness as well as provide equitable services and support to both children with ASD and their families. Purpose The study aimed to explore family‐reported changes for children with ASD and their reactions and responses to the Covid‐19 restrictions in South Africa. Method: A qualitative research design was employed. Twelve families consisting of different family compositions with a total of 21 family members (mothers, fathers and grandmothers) participated in the current study using semistructured interviews. Data were transcribed and analysed using a framework method for thematic analysis. Results: Findings indicated that children with ASD present with unique challenges related to Covid‐19. Negative themes such as children's obstructive reactions due to the immediate changes to their routines, increases in emotional dysregulation as well as loss of previously acquired skills as a result of lack of access to services during lockdown were reported. However, families also reported on positive changes such as improved social interactions as children became more accustomed to their new lockdown routines. Implications: The Covid‐19 response has had a negative impact on children with disabilities, specifically around access to services and support for both children with ASD and their families. While the future of the virus and impending lockdown measures is unknown, clinicians, providers and educators need to ensure that provisions are made for children's current adjustments as well as further adjustments to their current routines both during and after the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thriving is defined as the growth of attributes that mark a flourishing, healthy individual and include Competence, Confidence, Connectedness, Character, Caring and Contribution to self, family, community and civil society. Thriving has been linked to positive youth outcomes in neurotypical children and adolescents but has rarely been explored for individuals on the autism spectrum. Method: This study explored the profiles and predictors of parent‐reported thriving in 111 school children on the autism spectrum, aged 6 to 14 years. Results: Parents rated children as having relative strengths in the Caring and Connectedness dimensions and relative challenges in the Competence dimension. Stronger thriving outcomes were consistently predicted by stronger socialization scores; however, the other predictors of outcome differed by dimensions. Conclusion: The current findings provide insight into the individual and contextual factors that predict thriving in children on the autism spectrum. As research into thriving is in its infancy, more work is needed to understand how child, family and contextual factors relate to thriving in individuals on the autism spectrum to foster positive outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]