Several studies examined whether the severity of the illness is a factor in determining family stress in several different subsystems within the family (Bristol & Schopler 1984, Beckman 1991, Holden et al. 1997, Knafl & Zoeller 2000). Beckman (1991) found that number of additional or unusual caregiving demands were highly correlated to the amount of stress. Families continue to suffer chronic disappointment (Lipsky 1985, Siegel et al. 1985); the concomitant disruption of family roles in the form of recurring factors associated with increased stress