A child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The distraught mother cries out, "I'm such a terrible mother. What did I do to cause this?" Which nursing response is most appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most appropriate nursing response is to provide accurate information that there is no evidence that poor parenting causes autism spectrum disorder, and that abnormalities in brain structure or function are responsible. The response should provide reassurance that the mother is not to blame for her child's disorder. Option A is partially correct, but it may cause the mother to feel guilty if she consumed alcohol during pregnancy. Option C is not accurate, as both parents can play an equal role in the development of the disorder. Option D is incorrect, as there is no evidence that lack of bonding or feeding method causes autism spectrum disorder.

A Child Has Been Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder