Perception Of The Risk Of Muscle Disease Among Caregivers Of People With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The ongoing care of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) involves persistent physical demands that expose caregivers to significant risks of muscle and musculoskeletal disorders. However, how these risks are perceived directly influences pain recognition, attention to one's own physical limitations, and self-care practices. In this sense, this study aimed to analyze the perception of the risk of muscle disorders in the context of caring for individuals with ASD and its implications for caregiver health. This is a narrative literature review, qualitative in nature and descriptive-analytical in approach, based on studies published between 2010 and 2025, identified in the SciELO and Google Scholar databases, using descriptors related to caregiving, ASD, musculoskeletal disorders, and risk perception. The results indicate that the perception of the risk of muscle disorders among caregivers is generally fragile and constructed late, since pain and physical discomfort tend to be naturalized as an inherent part of the act of caregiving. It was observed that repetitive physical efforts, lack of technical guidance, and sociocultural factors contribute to the neglect of initial signs of bodily overload. In the care of people with ASD, the unpredictability of demands and the need for constant vigilance direct the caregiver's attention primarily to the person being cared for, reducing the perception of their own physical limitations. It is concluded that limited or delayed risk perception acts as a central element in the maintenance and chronicity of preventable musculoskeletal conditions among caregivers.