Abstract
The study determined the different coping strategies used by parents of autistic
children. Three research questions guided the study. The survey research design
was used. Population was made up of 118 parents of autistic children under the
custody and care of three institutional homes in Benue State. Questionnaire was
used for data collection. Data were analyzed using mean and standard
deviation. Findings include, among others, that parents of autistic children face
a lot of challenges prominent of which are discrimination, vulnerability to
physical stress, poor standard of living, and psychological depression. Effective
coping strategies identified include: seeking professional support, self control
and accepting responsibility. Recommendation include, among others, that
parents of the autistic children should be encouraged through counseling
(workshops, seminars and conferences) on how to handle, care and raise autistic
children in a manner that will reduce stress and other challenges.