Autism is an intricate developmental disorder that is typically noticed by parents and/or diagnosed by parents between the ages of eight-adolescent months and three years. In recent studies, Werner (2001) isolated themes from in-depth interviews conducted with several parents of children with autism. These themes included the following findings: family life revolves around managing the child's autism and unusual behaviors; parents feel losses because they and their children cannot lead a so-called normal life; and the family experiences only fleeting moments of truly feeling like a typical family. Autism does not affect a particular type of person but occurs in all social, racial and ethnic groups. Effects of autism within a family What is a normal family? What would you do if your child seems to be developing at a normal rate and then suddenly stops and regresses before he or she can walk or talk? Think you have what it takes to raise a child with autism? Families of children with autism begin to face challenges that set them apart from other families from the first day they notice that something is not right with their child. When a family first finds out that their child is autistic, it is very emotionally overwhelming. Not only is it emotionally overwhelming to add some stress to intense therapy sessions at home and on site, trying to stay focused on other matters outside the home such as career and many other issues that arise when given the gift of a child with autism. When a family has a child with autism, the family's life changes (Luther, Canham & Cureton, 2005). Even though all these problems might be overwhelming for the rest of the... middle of paper... he or she needs to be able to lead a somewhat normal life. Being able to address the emotional, physical, and financial impacts of having a child with autism will help a family become more confident and appreciate their child's progress throughout life and try to live as closely as possible. possible to normal life. Once all is said and done, overcoming the stressors and obstacles a family faces when they are given their hand, challenges them to become one as a family, but also helps strengthen their family from the inside out. the outside. So here are three little questions to sit and think about… What is a normal family? What would you do if your child seems to be developing at a normal rate and then suddenly stops and regresses before he or she can walk or talk? You think you have what it takes to raise a child with autism??