Buchwald, KhanShepherd, DanielSiegert, RJVignes, MatthieuLandon, JasonSingh, Asem Surindro2025-05-012025-05-012025-04-21PLoS One, ISSN: 1932-6203 (Print); 1932-6203 (Online), Public Library of Science (PLoS), 20(4), e0319036-. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.03190361932-62031932-6203http://hdl.handle.net/10292/19129Elevated levels of parenting stress have been reported in parents raising an Autistic child. Previous studies have identified a multitude of predictors of parenting stress, including both child-related and parent-related factors, though findings across studies are not always in agreement. In the present study we investigate the determinants of parenting stress using a Network Analysis approach, which is then used to inform a subsequent structural equation model. New Zealand parents (n =  490) of a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) provided data on their Autistic child (e.g., ASD core symptoms, problem behaviours) and themselves (i.e., parenting stress). The analysis revealed that both child and parent demographic factors were poor predictors of parenting stress, while the child's current language and communication ability were correlated with diagnostic age and parenting stress. An earlier diagnostic age, in turn, suggested better behavioural and emotional outcomes for children. Overall, the Network Analysis showed itself to be an informative approach to understanding parenting stress in the ASD context. Findings further advocate for the implementation of ASD-related and language-related interventions as early as possible, and that language delays during early infancy justify prompt clinical assessment.© 2025 Buchwald et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/39 Education3904 Specialist Studies In Education52 PsychologyPediatricBrain DisordersMental HealthIntellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)AutismBasic Behavioral and Social ScienceBehavioral and Social Science2.3 Psychological, social and economic factors4.2 Evaluation of markers and technologiesMental healthGeneral Science & TechnologyHumansAutism Spectrum DisorderMaleFemaleStress, PsychologicalParentingChild, PreschoolNew ZealandAdultParentsChildMiddle AgedHumansStress, PsychologicalParentingParentsAdultMiddle AgedChildChild, PreschoolNew ZealandFemaleMaleAutism Spectrum DisorderHumansAutism Spectrum DisorderMaleFemaleStress, PsychologicalParentingChild, PreschoolNew ZealandAdultParentsChildMiddle AgedJournal ArticleOpenAccess10.1371/journal.pone.0319036