Parent views of the positive contributions of elementary and high school‐aged children with autism spectrum disorders and Down syndrome

BACKGROUND: Much is known about the hardships associated with parenting a child with a disability, but few studies have examined the broader contributions of the child to family life or society. METHODS: The study involved qualitative analysis of interviews with 16 families of children with autism spectrum disorder or Down syndrome at critical transition periods (entry to elementary or high school), targeting their perceptions of benefits.