The Family Enrichment Weekend enhances healthy family functioning by restoring family balance. When a child is diagnosed with autism the family balance is at risk. The identity of each family member is often seen only in relation to their child with autism and due to the intensity of the needs of the child with autism, those needs are given priority over the needs of other family members. The individual identity of each family member as the mother or father of a child with autism, the sibling of a child with a autism, and/or the child with the disability precludes their identity as a family. This focus on one family member over the needs of all others throws the family out of balance. Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle, founder of Kidpower, a sibling support program, reports that siblings report their greatest frustration is the lack of balance in the family. Mom may be spending more of her time caring for the child with autism and less time engaged with other family members. In this situation, because of the needs of the child, the mother and child may do everything together and the mother no longer has her own identity. The child with autism may have limited abilities in terms of engaging in family activities. Siblings may have become more independent and, therefore, spend more time away from the family. A parent may be hesitant to discuss work at home when there are so many immediate family needs. The Family Enrichment Weekend restores family balance by addressing the needs of each family member. From the moment a family registers for the Family Enrichment Weekend they are referred to as a family where each family member is seen as equally important in the family structure. Each family member is valued and treated with respect. Information is gathered on the parents and all the children, not just the child with autism. Each individual’s needs are considered when planning the program. For example, teen children are given the choice to join the junior staff or participate in the teen activity groups. Toddlers are given the choice to be in the nursery or join the preschool activity group. Siblings who request to be together are placed in the same activity group. All this is discussed with the parents and/or the children prior to attending. 
In some cases, parents who are divorced have chosen to attend the same Family Enrichment Weekend together. Lodging accommodations are made to support this effort so that the family can share this event together. The Family Enrichment Weekend helps parents work together, stressing the importance of joint parenting and maintaining a healthy relationship. The professional staff strategically involves both parents in all the sessions to model the importance of participation and both parents are equally involved in activities with their children. Much has been said and written about the divorce rate of parents who have a child with autism.[/caption]The most recent data compiled by Brian Freedman, Clinical Director of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders at Kennedy Krieger Institute, analyzed data on nearly 78,000 children between the ages of 3 and 17 that were collected as part of the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health. They found that families of autistic children were almost exactly as likely to be intact as those of children without autism: 64% of children with an autism spectrum disorder were in families including both biological or adoptive parents, compared to 65% of children without autism.
Families Together has collected over 25 years of data on families who attended a Family Enrichment Weekend. Over 85% of those families are still intact, a much higher rate than the national average for families. Families Together defines an intact family as one where the parents are still married and there is continued involvement with both the child with a disability and nondisabled children in family activities.
