Perceived Needs of Bulgarian Families Raising Children with Autism

Abstract Background In Bulgaria, where over half of households with dependent children are led by a single parent, family structure may influence the types and intensity of support needed by families raising children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study aims to examine the differences in perceived needs of families of children with ASD based on household structure, providing insights for tailored support strategies. Methods A cross-sectional study design was conducted in 2024, including 89 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (79.8% male, 20.2% female, aged 3-13 years) from North-East Bulgaria, whose parents were visiting pediatric care and willing to participate. Emotional, social, educational, and physical needs were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = completely unmet, 5 = fully met), and data were analyzed using Jamovi (version 2.6.23), with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The Mann-Whitney U test compared unmet needs between children from single-parent and two-parent households. Results Children from single-parent households reported significantly greater unmet emotional (U = 325, p = .03), social (U = 341, p = .04), and educational (U = 318, p = .02) needs, with male children having higher social support needs. In contrast, two-parent households expressed greater need for specific child-related services, including treatment information (U = 289, p < .001), financial assistance (U = 356, p = .037), and support for communication, play (U = 344, p = .019), and healthy development (U = 338, p = .024). Conclusions This study highlights the unique needs of single-parent and two-parent households raising children with ASD. Single-parent families face greater emotional and developmental challenges, while two-parent families report higher demands for support in service access and child development. These findings emphasize the need for tailored, family-centered interventions to provide comprehensive support based on household structure. Key messages • Single-parent families raising children with autism in Bulgaria face greater emotional, social, and educational needs. • Two-parent families need more support for services, financial assistance, and child development.