International Journal of Caring Sciences May-August 2018 Volume 11 | Issue 2| Page 985 www.internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org Original Article Psychosocial and Financial Needs, Burdens and Support, and Major Concerns among Greek Families with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Vassiliki Ntre Department of Child Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece Katerina Papanikolaou Department of Child Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece Kalliopi Triantafyllou Department of Child Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece George Giannakopoulos Department of Child Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece Maria Kokkosi Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Eginitio” Hospital, Athens, Greece Gerasimos Kolaitis Department of Child Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece Correspondence: Vassiliki Ntre, Department of Child Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece E-mail: vassilikintre@yahoo.com Abstract Background Families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are burdened both psychologically and financially. This study investigated the general concerns and the needs for support and information of Greek mothers of children with ASD, their health problems and the family financial burden. Methods Study was made of 61 mothers (mean age: 43.69±5.84 years) of children with ASD (86.9% boys, mean age: 10.33±2.9 years), who completed questionnaires assessing the family environment, burden and needs regarding the child, and maternal depression and health problems. Results The majority of mothers (67.5%) reported depressive symptoms and health problems. Having a child with ASD put a high load on the family finances; families paid out of their own pockets amounts ranging from €401 to €1,000 per month, and in half of the families a member had to get a job or work extra hours to cover the expenses of the child’s therapy. The main maternal concerns were for the child’s future development 58.18%, about which they reported needing more information. The family environment was characterized as positive by 70.36%. They reported a low level of agreement between mothers and fathers on issues related to the upbringing of their child. Conclusions: Having a child with ASD has a substantial impact on maternal wellbeing, and finances, and family life in general. The need for support of families of children with ASD is pressing, and priority should be given to the funding, accessibility and improvement of the quality of public services for this population. Key words: Autism spectrum disorder, children, mothers, financial burden, family needs