The impact of raising a child with autism on parents' quality of life (QOL) is not yet fully understood. Studies have shown that parents of children with autism have lower QOL than general population and that theirs QOL is influenced by the level of child functioning impairment, the received social support and by the use of maladaptive coping mechanisms.

To evaluate the QOL of the families of children with autism compared with that of families of children diagnosed with ADHD.

To analyze the factors which influence the QOL of these families.

We used data from 60 children, aged between 2 and 18 years, diagnosed with ASD or ADHD, according to DSM IV-TR and ICD-10 and their parents. Tests were administered to assess the presence of autism symptoms, the symptoms of internalization / externalization and the parents’ emotional regulation mechanisms. FQOLS (Family Quality of Life Survey) was used to assess the subjects and their families’ quality of life.

The areas with the lowest scores in terms of FQOL were the financial status, the support from others and the support from services. These results were similar for the families of children with ASD and ADHD. the level of parental distress was associated with the level of child internalizing problems.

By understanding how the FQOL is affected by these disorders, the needs of the children with developmental disorders and their families will be better recognized and healthcare and support services would be appropriately developed.