No doubt about it, parents are autism's victims, hidden and not. They are judged by things others just don't understand, some people blame them for the problems -some shun them because they can't take being around the craziness and pain. It's usually hard enough for a parent to find out that their children are on the autistic spectrum, then its up to them to search for help for those children, to do their best by them. That's a lot of work, since it seems that schools and different agencies just don't want to be bothered, for whatever reasons - time, money, overworked - - - If the parent has a partner, the relationship is stressed and may not last. Without a partner its especially hard for a parent to work and handle all the responsibilities necessary in taking care of a child, or children, with autism. Parents are stressed and go without sleep because of having a child with autism. They still have to get up and get their kids taken care of and then get themselves off to work - work all day and go home to continue doing what is needed for the child or children. Therapy, doctors, meetings, whatever. Parents of children on the autistic spectrum need extra help, but most others don't know how to help. When my grandson has a meltdown I know there isn't anything I can do to help, and it's hard to see my daughter left with that responsibility. It's hard to hear the screaming, see the thrashing, kicking, hitting, and it goes on and on and can interrupt life at any time, going in different ways. It's hard for my daughter to get her kids out of the apartment to get anything done. Max especially hates to go anywhere and thats a struggle. It just seems that nothing is easy for some parents with children on the autism spectrum, although some people seem to be able to breeze through anything - I'd guess that the average person would have a tough time living this life.