Comparison of the ratio on the levels and depression between mothers who have only autistic children versus an autistic child and a healthy at leastone other child

This study aims to compare the rate of depression and anxiety levels of mothers who have only an autistic child and who have an autistic child that has healthy sibling (s). In this research ; Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) (see annex I), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM¬A) (see annex II) and Sociodemographic Information Questionnaire (see annex III) are used as data collection instruments. Sample of the study consists of forty mothers who have only an autistic child and forty mothers who have an autistic child that has healthy sibling(s). The children are between the age ranges of 3-16 years, continuing education in special educational institutions, selected randomly in Kagıthane/Istanbul. According to the results ; It is observed that while mothers that have only child who is diagnosed as autistic have moderate depressive symptoms and major (serious) anxiety, mothers that have an autistic child who has healthy sibling (s) have mild depressive symptoms and minor (middle) anxiety. The research might shed light on further investigations.