Perspective on impact of autism on the whole family

If you have time, read the whole article at this link but I thought the following excerpt would give you an idea of how autism affects not just the individual diagnosed with autism but the whole family. This, from people who know, the experts in the field who wrote this piece.
http://www.kidsmentalhealth.ca/documents/EBP_autism.pdf

"Families of Children and Adolescents with ASDs
Having a child with an ASD is one of the most difficult things that can happen to a family. Although most families cope remarkably well most of the time, they have some toughchallenges along the way. The needs of families are quite variable, and depend on:
• the particular characteristics of their child (age, level of functioning, particular
symptom severity, response to intervention, and so on);
• the parents' own intrapsychic and interpersonal resources; and
• the availability and effectiveness of supports and services.
Having a child with Autism can have a devastating impact on parents' mental health (most of this research is based on Autism; little has been done on other ASDs). In fact, family stress research has repeatedly demonstrated that parents (especially mothers) of children with Autism experience greater stress, depression, and mental health difficulties than parents of children with other types of disabilities or no disability. Different aspects of life with a child with ASD may affect mothers as opposed to fathers, and evidence indicates that mothers bear the greater burden (although fathers' experiences have been much less studied). Also, the family's culture is an important factor in the meaning they attribute to having a child with ASD and their tendency to seek help outside the family. Other significant stressors include:
• the poor understanding of Autism in the community;
• inferences or outright accusations of improper parenting when the child "looks
normal" but acts "strangely" in public;
• difficulty experienced in the process of obtaining a diagnosis;
• the exhausting process of advocating for scarce intervention and educational
programs; and
• the financial strain of certain therapies.
There are certain issues or needs that parents and siblings (and sometimes extended family members) may have at various times throughout their life with a child with Autism. These needs have important implications for family support services and case management. Table 6 in the full text of this document highlights child and parent issues and clinical responses appropriate at each developmental stage. It is important for mental health professionals to help families work actively on transition-planning at two main junctures: from preschool to school (about age 5 or 6), and from high school to early adulthood (about age 18–21). Intensive case
management and concurrent emotional support may be needed at these times."