Grandparents and their grandchildren with autism spectrum disorder: building bridges through technology

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interactions, deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or unusual or severely limited interests (American Psychiatric Association 2008). A child's autism diagnosis affects every member of the family. The resources that a grandparent can bring to the family of a child with ASD include emotional support to help the entire family cope successfully with the stresses of family, social and societal pressures, and instrumental support, providing needed hands-on assistance. The grandparent-grandchild relationship is an important one, described by Kornhaber (2004) as being second only in importance to the parent-child relationship. Interacting with grandchildren with ASD through technology may enhance communication, broaden social interaction and build closer intergenerational bonds.