As any parent will tell you, raising children is a difficult task: it's time-consuming, it's stressful, and it's emotional. From the birth of the child, parents are responsible for guiding and nurturing their offspring, praising and punishing when necessary, educating them on lifestyle and dealing with every kind of pressure imaginable. Even when raising a normal, healthy child, parents must develop ways to deal with the daily pressures that come with parenting. For parents whose children have autism, however, finding effective coping skills is not only challenging, but essential to maintaining a healthy mental state (Coping). Not only having seen numerous children with autism, but also growing up with an autistic younger brother, the author of this article wonders: what are these coping methods? Which are the most effective? And why are they so important? What is autism? Autism, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is “a variable developmental disorder [...] characterized by impairment in the ability to form normal social relationships, [...] communicate with others, and through stereotyped patterns of behavior ” (Autism). Although broadly defined, this is for good reason: autism, rather than being a mental disorder with specific symptoms and signs, is a disorder characterized by a combined spectrum of symptoms. Symptoms of autism vary from individual to individual in severity and number. 60% of people with autism have average or even above average intelligence; only about 40% of those with autism have an intellectual disability, where their IQ is less than 70 (frequently). Next, although there are those who, despite autism, lead relatively normal lives, there are those whose autism is severe and... middle of paper... finally, for those children with autism.Works CitedCitations" Frequently Asked Questions". Autism speaks. Autism Speaks Inc., n.d. Web. December 1, 2013. Gray, David E. “Coping with Autism: Stress and Strategies.” Sociology of Health and Illness 16.3 (1994): 275-300.Montes, Guillermo and Jill S. Halterman. “Psychological functioning and coping skills of mothers of children with autism: A population-based study.” Pediatrics 119.5 (2007): e1040-e1046. Pottie, Colin G. and Kathleen M. Ingram. “Daily stress, coping, and well-being in parents of children with autism: A multilevel modeling approach.” Journal of Family Psychology 22.6 (2008): 855.Hall, Heather R. “Families of Children with Autism: Children's Behaviors, Community Support, and Coping.” Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing Issues 35.2 (2012): 111-132. Academic research completed. Network. December 16. 2013.