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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder of organic origin characterised by impairment and deficits in social interaction and communication as well as repetitive and restricted patterns of behaviour [1]. ASD can manifest with very different degrees of severity, but most children with autism have special needs in all aspects of their development and in all contexts. Associated problems such as intellectual deficit, sensory issues, problems with eating and sleeping and behavioural problems are also common in ASD and may cause as much impairment as the core features of the disorder [2-5].

Therefore, autism is considered one of the developmental disorders that has the greatest impact on the family. Raising and caring for a child with autism is a daunting and permanent challenge for parents and primary caregivers. Parents often need to adapt their professional lives and relationships in order to find appropriate solutions that are suited to the specific needs of their child [6]. A large number of studies have consistently found that parents of children with ASD have higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression than parents of typically developed children or children with other disorders [7-13].