Maximising abilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities: importance of parental self-efficacy.

A parent’s level of self-efficacy effects how they as parent behave and interact with their child. This is essential, especially for parents of child with ASD, as a much higher level of investment is required to help a child with ASD realize their potential. Previous research has highlighted the importance of self-efficacy in parents in a child’s education and social development. This study used a sample of 42 parents (males n= 16; females n= 26) of children with ASD to examine how demographic factors (i.e age, gender and hours psent working per week) can affect their self-efficacy. Majority of the sample used was provided by Autism Ireland. Correlation between IVs and DVs (parental efficacy & perceived self-efficacy) were observed using various statistical methods. Results show there to be a correlational relationship between the age of the parent and the levels of perceived self-efficacy (PSE). Results are supported by previous research that also examined age as a predictor for levels of self-efficacy