People on the spectrum are always on my mind but especially this autism awareness month. 
My refrain is always to be kind, to accept, to practice inclusiveness and know that we can learn so much from our neurodiverse friends, if we give them the opportunity.
All of us are part of systems, and these systems are especially important for a child diagnosed with autism. If we view the child through Bronfenbrenner’s (1986) Ecological Systems Theory it gives us a framework for understanding how different environmental systems interact and influence a child on the autism spectrum.
This theory posits that a child’s development is shaped by multiple layers of influence, from immediate family and caregivers to societal structures. Bronfenbrenner described these systems as circles, with each circle influencing and interacting with other circles and changes in one circle having the potential to cause ripples in other circles.
The microsystem aspect of the theory talks about the immediate environment for the child which includes parents, family members and therapists that work directly with the child. Here parenting styles can play a pivotal role. This is why it it is beneficial for parents to be trained in supportive and structured parenting styles to help with consistency and emotional regulation, as we know that inconsistent or stressful environments can escalate behavioral and emotional challenges. Parental strife can also aggravate the microsystem for the child.
School environments, peer interactions, social difficulties and the quality of therapists also have an impact on the child. Mesosystems are the connection between the different microsystems, which can include communication between the teachers, between the school and family and the coordination between the therapists. This system is pivotal for the wellbeing of the child as it ensures that these different environments work together to support the child’s growth. However, disconnects or conflicts – such as a lack of communication between school and home – can negatively impact the child’s progress. Therefore, fostering collaboration and consistency across the mesosystem is extremely important for the wellbeing of our child.
Exosystems in Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory refers to the indirect environments that the child does not directly interact with, but it still influences their development. These external settings impact the child through their effects on the people and systems within the child’s immediate environment. This can include parental jobs which allow flexibility and financial stability, availability of support groups, therapeutic facilities, inclusive playgrounds etc. Parental work stress (exosystem) can indirectly impact a child’s academic performance by affecting the quality of parent-child interactions (microsystem).
Macrosystem incorporates cultural and societal influences. This is where the acceptance and awareness of autism within a societal and cultural milieu are so pivotal for the child’s development. In cultures which stigmatise or give lip service to neurodivergence, there is an adverse impact on the child. Environments where there are laws, policies, legislation for example to facilitate the progress of the child, we see ripple effects across different systems. A child’s experience in school (microsystem) is shaped by broader cultural expectations and societal values (macrosystem).
According to Bronfenbrenner’s model (1986) the chronosystem represents transitions or changes that occur over time. These can include the developmental, familial and social transitions and challenges such as puberty, increased social expectations, and independence. Also, family dynamics like moving, birth of a sibling, divorce all impact the trajectory of the child.
Application of systems theory can help facilitate caregivers and professionals to take a holistic approach to intervention by addressing not only the child’s direct needs but also the broader systems that shape their experiences.
The creation of comprehensive educational and family systems and broader communal and legislative systems are pivotal to the growth of the child. Also, understanding that everyone affects the growth and development of a child on the spectrum is important for society to consider. Research also validates the ecological systems approach, with the assertion that various circles are connected, and different systems affect familial aspects, such as family resilience (Gur et al., 2022). These researchers emphasise that to increase family resilience, we need to focus beyond the family circle, which encompasses community, social and political climate (AAIDD_CMS).
Durriya Ahmed Shamsi is a behaviour therapist practising in the United States. She is a board certified behaviour analyst (BCBA) and licensed behaviour specialist (LBS).
