101
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Lynch FL, Bulkley JE, Varga A, Crawford P, Croen LA, Daida YG, Fombonne E, Hatch B, Massolo M, Dickerson JF. The impact of autism spectrum disorder on parent employment: Results from the r-Kids study. Autism Res 2023; 16:642-652. [PMID: 36546608 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other chronic health conditions often face exceptional caregiving demands that can lead to challenges related to maintaining and succeeding in employment. Detailed information on the specific ways in which these health conditions impact parent employment could aid in designing equitable, effective policies to support families. The r-Kids study used electronic health records to identify three groups of children: those with ASD, asthma, or neither condition (control), from several health care systems. We oversampled racial and ethnic minorities and matched the asthma and control groups to the age and sex distribution of the ASD group. Parents completed three online surveys over the course of a year to measure annual employment outcomes. Surveys included the Family Economic Impact Inventory (measuring employment impacts) and measures of quality of life and symptom severity. All materials were provided in English and Spanish. The study enrolled 1461 families (564 ASD, 468 asthma, 429 control). Youth were 3-16.5 years old and predominantly male (79%). The sample was diverse (43% non-Hispanic White; 35% non-Hispanic Asian, Black, Native Hawaiian, or Other; and 21% Hispanic ethnicity). Parents of children with ASD were significantly less likely to be employed than parents of youth with asthma and control combined (OR: 14.2, p < 0.001), and were more likely to have other difficulties with employment and productivity while at work. Public and employer policies to help mitigate these impacts could aid families in managing care for youth with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances L Lynch
- Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon, USA.,OCHIN, Inc., Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Joanna E Bulkley
- Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Alexandra Varga
- Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Phillip Crawford
- Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Kaiser Permanente Autism Research Program, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Yihe G Daida
- Center for Integrated Health Care Research, Kaiser Permanente, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Eric Fombonne
- School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Brigit Hatch
- OCHIN, Inc., Portland, Oregon, USA.,School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Maria Massolo
- Kaiser Permanente Autism Research Program, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, USA
| | - John F Dickerson
- Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon, USA
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102
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Zohny SM, Habib MZ, Mohamad MI, Elayat WM, Elhossiny RM, El-Salam MFA, Hassan GAM, Aboul-Fotouh S. Memantine/Aripiprazole Combination Alleviates Cognitive Dysfunction in Valproic Acid Rat Model of Autism: Hippocampal CREB/BDNF Signaling and Glutamate Homeostasis. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:464-483. [PMID: 36918475 PMCID: PMC10121975 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01360-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Significant efforts are increasingly directed towards identifying novel therapeutic targets for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with a rising role of aberrant glutamatergic transmission in the pathogenesis of ASD-associated cellular and behavioral deficits. This study aimed at investigating the role of chronic memantine (20 mg/kg/day) and aripiprazole (3 mg/kg/day) combination therapy in the management of prenatal sodium valproate (VPA)-induced autistic-like/cognitive deficits in male Wistar rats. Pregnant female rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of VPA (600 mg/kg) to induce autistic-like behaviors in their offspring. Prenatal VPA induced autistic-like symptoms (decreased social interaction and the appearance of stereotyped behavior) with deficits in spatial learning (in Morris water maze) and cognitive flexibility (in the attentional set-shifting task) in addition to decreased hippocampal protein levels of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and gene expression of glutamate transporter-1 (Glt-1) with a decline in GABA/glutamate ratio (both measured by HPLC). These were accompanied by the appearance of numerous neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) with enhanced apoptosis in hippocampal sections. Memantine/aripiprazole combination increased the protein levels of p-CREB, BDNF, and Glt-1 gene expression with restoration of GABA/glutamate balance, attenuation of VPA-induced neurodegenerative changes and autistic-like symptoms, and improvement of cognitive performance. This study draws attention to the favorable cognitive effects of memantine/aripiprazole combination in autistic subjects which could be mediated via enhancing CREB/BDNF signaling with increased expression of astrocytic Glt-1 and restoration of GABA/glutamate balance, leading to inhibition of hippocampal NFTs formation and neuronal apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohir M Zohny
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Z Habib
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt.
| | - Magda I Mohamad
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Wael M Elayat
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reham M Elhossiny
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Ghada A M Hassan
- Neuropsychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Galala University, Al Galala, Egypt
- Neuropsychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sawsan Aboul-Fotouh
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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103
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Dembo RS, Mailick MR, Rudolph AE, Huntington N, DaWalt LS, Mitra M. Social Network Diversity and Mental Health Among Mothers of Individuals With Autism. AMERICAN JOURNAL ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2023; 128:101-118. [PMID: 36807480 PMCID: PMC10506165 DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-128.2.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The present study examined the associations between networks of social relationships and psychological well-being among mothers of adolescents and adults with autism (n = 352) over a 12-year period of time. A structural equation modeling approach was used to delineate the relative impacts of network size and relationship diversity on maternal mental health, and to assess whether such effects are bidirectional. Mothers with more diverse relationships experienced reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms over time, and the psychological benefits of diversity remained after adjusting for network size. Results also suggest bidirectional links between network size, diversity, and maternal mental health. Research and clinical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S Dembo
- Robert S. Dembo and Marsha R. Mailick, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Marsha R Mailick
- Robert S. Dembo and Marsha R. Mailick, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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104
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Garcia JM, Shurack R, Leahy N, Brazendale K, Lee E, Lawrence S. Feasibility of a Remote-based Nutrition Education and Culinary Skills Program for Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder. JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR 2023; 55:215-223. [PMID: 36702718 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of a remote-based nutrition education and culinary skills program for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS Thirteen young adults with ASD (26.6 ± 4.4 years; 77% male) participated in a remote-based nutrition program twice a week over 12 weeks. Principles of Social Cognitive Theory were used to develop the curriculum, which focused on nutrition education and meal preparation. Feasibility was assessed through attendance records, retention rates, duration/frequency of participant engagement, session notes, and participant interviews. RESULTS The program had a 13% refusal rate and a 7% attrition rate. Participants had a session attendance rate of 83%. Session notes revealed that the remote format offered several methods of participant communication and captured evidence of family support. Interview themes included increased nutrition-related knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavioral capability. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The remote-based nutrition program met feasibility benchmarks for adherence and retention and was well-accepted by participants. A remote-based format for nutrition interventions can reach a wider range of young adults with ASD; however, input from the target population should be considered in the development of the program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette M Garcia
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.
| | - Riley Shurack
- School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Nicholas Leahy
- School of Kinesiology and Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
| | - Keith Brazendale
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
| | - Eunkyung Lee
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
| | - Shawn Lawrence
- School of Social Work, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
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105
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Hou Y, Yan T, Zhang J. The relationship between parental involvement and psychological adjustment among Chinese children with autism spectrum disorder in the transition from kindergarten to primary school: A chain-mediating model. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1087729. [PMID: 36891207 PMCID: PMC9986549 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1087729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study examined the impact of parental involvement on the psychological adjustment of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the role of parenting self-efficacy and parenting stress in the transition from kindergarten to primary school. Methods Using the questionnaires, we collected data from 237 Chinese parents of children with ASD. Results Mediation analyses showed that parental involvement partially promoted the psychological adjustment of children with ASD, which was reflected in the fact that parental involvement promoted children's prosocial behavior but did not reduce their emotional/behavioral problems. Mediation analyses also revealed the role of the mediator in parenting stress between parental involvement and the psychological adjustment of children. Additionally, the results suggested that parenting self-efficacy and parenting stress played a chain-mediating role in the association between parental involvement and psychological adjustment in children with ASD. Discussion These findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between parental involvement and psychological adjustment in children with ASD in the transition from kindergarten to primary school.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Hou
- Early Childhood Education College, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingrui Yan
- Special Education Department, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junfang Zhang
- School of Special Education, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong, China
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106
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Raju S, Hepsibah PEV, Niharika MK. Quality of life in parents of children with Autism spectrum disorder: Emphasizing challenges in the Indian context. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2023; 69:371-378. [PMID: 37213591 PMCID: PMC10198003 DOI: 10.1080/20473869.2023.2173832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: Research has raised concerns about the quality of life (QOL) of parents of children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents in different cultures show different psychological functioning when caring for a child with ASD. Hence, we examined QOL in parents of children with ASD in India and its relationship with socio-demographic factors. Materials and methods: We used a self-reported questionnaire and WHOQOL-BREF instrument to collect data on socio-demographic details and QOL respectively. Data were collected from two groups of participants - parents of children with ASD and parents of typically developing children (N = 60). Results: Results revealed significant differences in QOL between the two groups. Further, we found a positive correlation between socio-demographic variables and QOL in parents of children with ASD. Conclusions: Findings emphasize the need for intervention approaches aimed at family functioning, improving support services, and assisting parents to develop healthy coping strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suma Raju
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, JSS Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, India
| | - P. E. V. Hepsibah
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, JSS Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, India
| | - M. K. Niharika
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, JSS Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, India
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107
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Yates L, Keville S, Ludlow A. The psychological impact of the secondary school transition on families of autistic children. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2023; 70:1207-1217. [PMID: 39712444 PMCID: PMC11660398 DOI: 10.1080/20473869.2023.2170004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2024]
Abstract
The transition from primary to secondary school is a stressful period for autistic individuals. However, less is known about parental experiences of the school transition, and its impact on the family. This study explored mothers' perspectives on the psychological impact of the transition to secondary school for their autistic children and their families. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, semi-structured interviews were analysed to explore the experiences of eight mothers of autistic children at the end of their child's first year in secondary school. The analysis revealed two superordinate themes: lack of available support and detrimental psychological impact on the family. Mothers reported the negative impact the transition had on themselves, their child, and the wider family. The importance of pre- and ongoing transition support was highlighted to reduce the concerns of children and their parents throughout the transition process. The findings highlighted the need for autism-specific individualized guidance, as well as considering the potential for transition issues to impact on siblings.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Yates
- Department of Psychology, Sport and Geography, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - S. Keville
- Department of Psychology, Sport and Geography, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - A. Ludlow
- Department of Psychology, Sport and Geography, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
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108
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Xiao N, Shinwari K, Kiselev S, Huang X, Li B, Qi J. Effects of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2630. [PMID: 36767996 PMCID: PMC9915993 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has become a critical public health issue that affects more than 78 million people. In many recent studies, the authors have demonstrated that equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAATs) can substantially improve the social and behavioral skills of children with ASD. However, the qualities of the studies differ, and some authors reached opposite conclusions. In this review, we systematically and objectively examined the effectiveness of EAATs for people with ASD, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods. We searched five databases (PubMed, Scopus, ERIC, ProQuest, and MEDLINE) and added relevant references, and we identified 25 articles for data extraction and analysis. According to our results, EAAT programs can substantially improve the social and behavioral functioning and language abilities of children with ASD. However, among the subdomains, the results were inconsistent. According to the meta-analyses, there were considerable improvements in the social cognition, communication, irritability, and hyperactivity domains, but not in the domains of social awareness, mannerisms, motivation, lethargy, stereotypy, or inappropriate speech. Moreover, there was a lack of sufficient comparative data to conclude that EAAT programs lead to substantial improvements in motor and sensory functioning. In addition, among the included studies, we noted the indicator of whether EAAT programs decreased parental stress and improved family functioning, and although there were four articles in which the researchers considered this aspect, we were unable to draw any conclusions because of the insufficient data and conflicting descriptive evidence. However, we need to consider the improvement in parental mental health as a factor in the effectiveness of this complementary intervention. We hope that in future studies, researchers will focus on family functioning and conduct more randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with blinded assessments using different scales and measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningkun Xiao
- Department of Psychology, Institution of Humanities, Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg 620075, Russia
| | - Khyber Shinwari
- Department of Immunochemistry, Institution of Chemical Engineering, Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg 620075, Russia
| | - Sergey Kiselev
- Department of Psychology, Institution of Humanities, Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg 620075, Russia
| | - Xinlin Huang
- Department of Psychology, Institution of Humanities, Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg 620075, Russia
| | - Baoheng Li
- Engineering School of Information Technologies, Telecommunications and Control System, Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg 620002, Russia
| | - Jingjing Qi
- Engineering School of Information Technologies, Telecommunications and Control System, Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg 620002, Russia
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109
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Semovski V, King C, Lapshina N, Stewart SL. A cross-sectional examination of service complexity in youths with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and psychiatric or medical diagnoses across service sectors. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1027373. [PMID: 36817386 PMCID: PMC9930473 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1027373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous, life-long, and complex condition. Youth diagnosed with ASD require several supports addressing core symptoms associated with the disorder, but also those resulting from co-occurring mental and physical health conditions. As a result, their care is overseen by numerous professionals spanning various service sectors, but communication between sectors is hindered due to the absence of a standardized assessment system to identify and triage youth to services. A paucity of information surrounding this population's service use lingers and a siloed delivery system persists. Methods Using archival data collected from 1,020 youth between 12 and 18 years of age, this study explored service complexity among autistic youth with and without psychiatric and medical co-occurring conditions in Ontario, Canada. In doing so, a negative binomial regression was utilized to investigate which predisposing, enabling, and need variables were associated with service complexity. Results Results revealed that experiencing financial difficulties was not associated with service complexity. However, age, sex, caregiver distress, comorbidity, intellectual disability, and evaluated health status were significant predictors. More specifically, female youth and youth with distressed caregivers had greater mental health service complexity scores. Additionally, youth diagnosed with two or more conditions in addition to ASD who required longer durations of programming, controlling for other predictors, had greater mental health service complexity scores. Yet, youth with an intellectual disability had lower service complexity scores. Discussion Clinical implications of this study are discussed to inform future investments into mental health efforts for autistic youth.
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110
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Kanagaraj S, Ramdoss S, Sigafoos J, Kancharla K, Vani Lakshmi R, Ram Gopal CN, Sabari Sridhar OT, Karthikeyan S. Development and validation of the social-emotional rating scale for autism spectrum disorder (SERA) in an Indian sample. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2023; 70:1218-1226. [PMID: 39712443 PMCID: PMC11660299 DOI: 10.1080/20473869.2023.2170005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2024]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs during the developmental period and affects overall cognitive, emotional, social, and physical health. Comprehensive screening for ASD can assist in diagnosis and intervention planning. The primary aim of this study was to develop and validate a screening tool for ASD based on the diagnostic guidelines of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). The Social-Emotional Rating Scale for Autism Spectrum Disorder (SERA) was validated with 504 participants, including healthcare professionals who have worked with individuals with ASD and parents/primary caregivers of children with ASD. A confirmatory factor analysis on 78 participants with ASD and 27 participants without ASD indicated a good fit for the data. As an intervention planning tool, the developed SERA appears promising for identifying a person's social-emotional functioning level in line with autistic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagayaraj Kanagaraj
- Department of Counseling Psychology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu603103, India
| | - Sathiyaprakash Ramdoss
- Department of Teacher Education, Dwight Schar College of Education, Ashland University, Ashland, OH44805, USA
| | - Jeff Sigafoos
- School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Kinjari Kancharla
- Department of Counseling Psychology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu603103, India
| | - R. Vani Lakshmi
- Department of Data Science, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal576104, India
| | - C. N. Ram Gopal
- Department of Counseling Psychology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu603103, India
| | - O. T. Sabari Sridhar
- Department of Psychiatry, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu600116, India
| | - Sundaravadivel Karthikeyan
- Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities, Chennai, Tamil Nadu603112, India
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111
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How to Make the Unpredictable Foreseeable? Effective Forms of Assistance for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13030407. [PMID: 36766512 PMCID: PMC9914931 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13030407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Symptomatology in patients with the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is very heterogeneous. The symptoms they present include communication difficulties, behavior problems, upbringing problems from their parents, and comorbidities (e.g., epilepsy, intellectual disability). A predictable and stable environment and the continuity of therapeutic interactions are crucial in this population. The COVID-19 pandemic has created much concern, and the need for home isolation to limit the spread of the virus has disrupted the functioning routine of children/adolescents with ASD. Are there effective diagnostic and therapeutic alternatives to limit the consequences of disturbing the daily routine of young patients during the unpredictable times of the pandemic? Modern technology and telemedicine have come to the rescue. This narrative review aims to present a change in the impact profile in the era of isolation and assess the directions of changes that specialists may choose when dealing with patients with ASD.
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112
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Merlo G, Chifari A, Chiazzese G, Denaro P, Firrera N, Savio NL, Patti S, Palmegiano L, Taibi D, Seta L. The BEHAVE application as a tool to monitor inclusive interventions for subjects with neurodevelopmental disorders. Front Psychol 2023; 13:943370. [PMID: 36743629 PMCID: PMC9889555 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.943370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last few years, many educational and therapeutic interventions for young people with neurodevelopmental disorders are based on systematic monitoring of the outcomes. These interventions are typically conducted using single-case experimental designs, (SCEDs) a set of methods aimed at testing the effect of an intervention on a single subject or a small number of subjects. In SCEDs, an effective process of decision-making needs accurate, precise, and reliable data but also that caregivers and health professionals can gather information with minimal effort. The use of Information Communication Technologies in SCEDs can support the process of data collection and analysis, facilitating the collection of accurate and reliable data, providing reports accessible also by non-experts, and promoting interactions and sharing among clinicians, educators, and caregivers. The present paper introduces the BEHAVE application, a web-based highly customizable application, designed to implement SCEDs, supporting both data collection and automatic analysis of the datasets. Moreover, the paper will describe two case studies of kindergarten children with neurodevelopmental disorders, highlighting how the BEHAVE application supported the entire process, from data collection in multiple contexts to decision-making based on the analysis provided by the system. In particular, the paper describes the case studies of Carlo and Dario, two children with severe language and communication impairments, and the inclusive education interventions carried out to maximize their participation in a typical home and school setting increasing their mand repertoire. Results revealed an increase in the mand repertoire in both children who become able to generalize the outcomes to multiple life contexts. The active participation of the caregivers played a crucial role in the ability of children to use the learned skills in settings different from the ones they were learned in.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Merlo
- Istituto per le Tecnologie Didattiche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Chifari
- Istituto per le Tecnologie Didattiche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Chiazzese
- Istituto per le Tecnologie Didattiche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paola Denaro
- Istituto per le Tecnologie Didattiche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Davide Taibi
- Istituto per le Tecnologie Didattiche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luciano Seta
- Istituto per le Tecnologie Didattiche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
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113
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Quatrosi G, Genovese D, Amodio E, Tripi G. The Quality of Life among Siblings of Autistic Individuals: A Scoping Review. J Clin Med 2023; 12:735. [PMID: 36769384 PMCID: PMC9918204 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12030735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders presenting at a tender age, defined by qualitative deficits in social interactions and communication, thus having a substantial influence on the subject's family unit. Quality of life (QoL) refers to a person's perspective of their life situation, cultural and value background, objectives, expectations, and standards. When focusing on childhood and adolescence, age-related changes should be considered. For this scoping review, the authors used three peer-review literature database sources (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and ERIC) to delve deeper into components of the QoL of non-autistic siblings of autistic individuals. At the completion of the eligibility phase, 9 studies were included out of the 96 initial records. A total of 4/9 articles (45%) compared the non-autistic siblings of autistic individuals to the siblings of non-autistic people, while 3/9 articles (33%) compared the first group to the non-autistic siblings of patients with other chronic diseases. A total of 5/9 studies adopted specific questionnaires to evaluate QoL. Results from 6/9 articles revealed that the autism condition has varying effects on non-autistic siblings' QoL. According to the considered research, non-autistic siblings of autistic individuals experienced decreased psychological well-being, less perceived social support, increased aggressiveness and conflict-proneness, and higher levels of anxiety and stress impacting their QoL. The present findings provide important implications for additional and more punctual studies in this sector. Furthermore, as being a non-autistic sibling of an autistic individual is commonly undervalued, this review advocates the need to organize and improve support services for siblings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Quatrosi
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Dario Genovese
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Emanuele Amodio
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Gabriele Tripi
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- School of Specialization in Child Neuropsychiatry, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
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114
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Porter LM, Lane SJ, Demchick BB, Sweeney JK, Mullens PA, Kearney BE. Parents as Adult Learners in Occupational Therapy for Children With Sensory Challenges: A Scoping Review. Am J Occup Ther 2023; 77:7701205080. [PMID: 36791424 DOI: 10.5014/ajot.2023.050078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Parent training is an essential part of occupational therapy intervention for children with sensory processing and sensory integration (SP-SI) challenges, and parents' learning needs should be considered. OBJECTIVE To identify the extent to which adult learning needs are considered in occupational therapy literature addressing parent training as a part of intervention for children with SP-SI challenges. DATA SOURCES Searches were performed of the following databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, EMBASE, and ERIC. The date range was limited to 1990 to 2019 to capture literature focused on family-centered care. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA COLLECTION Using Arksey and O'Malley's framework for scoping reviews and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist, the following criteria were used to guide the literature searches: population (parents and families of children with SP-SI challenges), intervention (parent training), outcomes (parent learning needs), and concept (parents as adult learners). FINDINGS Searches produced 133 peer-reviewed articles, and 5 met the criteria for inclusion. Qualitative thematic analysis, including stakeholder interviews, revealed two themes: (1) Parents focus on children's needs, not their own, and (2) parents benefit from connection with peers and learn through shared experiences. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Parent training is an essential component of occupational therapy; however, there is limited occupational therapy evidence examining parents' learning needs, specifically parents of children with SP-SI challenges. Future studies should investigate parents' learning needs in relation to occupational therapy intervention for families of children with SP-SI challenges. What This Article Adds: Parents' learning needs are both rarely considered in the occupational therapy literature and important for best practice in pediatric therapy for children with SP-SI challenges. The results of this scoping review point to the need for further investigation of parent training programs specifically examining parents as adult learners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Porter
- Lisa M. Porter, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN;
| | - Shelly J Lane
- Shelly J. Lane, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Professor and Academic Program Director, Department of Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
| | - Barbara B Demchick
- Barbara B. Demchick, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, is Emeriti Faculty, Department of Occupational Therapy, Towson University, Towson, MD
| | - Jane K Sweeney
- Jane K. Sweeney, PhD, PT, PCS, is Professor and Program Director, Physical Therapy and Pediatric Science, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Provo, UT
| | - Pamela A Mullens
- Pamela A. Mullens, PhD, PT, C/NDT, passed away before the article's publication. At the time of the study, Mullens was Adjunct Professor, Physical Therapy and Pediatric Science, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Provo, UT
| | - Breanne E Kearney
- Breanne E. Kearney, MRes, MS, OTR/L, is PhD Student, Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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115
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Leuning EM, van den Berk-Smeekens I, van Dongen-Boomsma M, Staal WG. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in adolescents with autism; Efficacy on ASD symptoms and stress. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:981975. [PMID: 36873194 PMCID: PMC9975260 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.981975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a well-established and thoroughly researched treatment method for posttraumatic stress symptoms. When patients with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are treated with EMDR for their Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), they sometimes report a decrease in the core symptoms of ASD. This explorative pre-post-follow up design study is designed to investigate whether EMDR with a focus on daily experienced stress, is effective in reducing ASD symptoms and stress in adolescents with ASD. METHODS Twenty-one adolescents with ASD (age 12 to 19) were treated with ten sessions EMDR, focusing on events of daily experienced stress. RESULTS No significant decrease of ASD symptoms was found on the total score of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) as reported by caregivers from baseline to end measurement. However, there was a significant decrease on total caregivers SRS score comparing the baseline to the follow-up measurement. On two subscales, Social Awareness and Social Communication, a significant decrease was found from baseline to follow-up. On the subscales Social Motivation and Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behavior, no significant effects were found. On pre- and posttest scores of total ASD symptoms measured by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), no significant effects were found. On the contrary, scores on self-reported Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) showed a significant decrease from baseline to follow-up. Also, 52% of adolescents showed a significant improvement of global clinical functioning at endpoint measurement on the Clinical Global Impression Improvement, rated by an independent child psychiatrist. DISCUSSION In sum, these results of this uncontrolled study suggest a partial effect of EMDR in adolescents with ASD on ASD symptoms, rated by their caregivers. In addition, the results of this study show that EMDR treatment on daily experienced stress significantly reduce perceived stress as reported by the participants, and improves global clinical functioning. The results also suggest a 'sleeper effect', since no significant effects were found between baseline- and post- treatment measurements, but only between baseline- and follow up three months after the treatment. This finding is in line with other studies investigating psychotherapeutic effects in ASD. Implications for clinical practice and suggestions for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iris van den Berk-Smeekens
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Martine van Dongen-Boomsma
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Wouter G Staal
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
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116
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McCrossin J, Lach L, McGrath P. Content analysis of parent training programs for children with neurodisabilities and mental health or behavioral problems: a scoping review. Disabil Rehabil 2023; 45:154-169. [PMID: 34990567 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2021.2017493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Several systematic reviews have examined parent training programs for families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present review expands on this literature by describing the components, delivery methods, and level of parent involvement in parent training programs that target families of children with any neurodisability and comorbid disruptive behavior or other mental health problem. MATERIALS AND METHODS Following a scoping review protocol, the search strategy included randomized controlled trials of parent training programs conducted with families of children with neurodisabilities and comorbid disruptive behavior or mental health problems. Study characteristics, program content, delivery methods, and theoretical frameworks were extracted from eligible studies. RESULTS A total of 22 articles were included from the 453 full-text articles initially screened. Thirteen different programs fell into two general categories based on whether they targeted child disruptive behavior or anxiety. Analysis of the content yielded five themes: child skill enhancement, parenting as enacted, parenting as experienced, disability-related parenting, and parent-child relationships. The theoretical underpinnings were identified, when possible, from each study. CONCLUSIONS Parent training programs for parents of children with neurodisabilities targeting child anxiety involved parents in a complementary role in treatment while those targeting disruptive behavior involved parents in a primary role in creating behavior change. We suggest that the extent of parent involvement in interventions be guided by theory rather than diagnosis of the child.Implications for rehabilitationParents of children living with neurodisabilities play a key role in delivering interventions to address comorbid mental health or behavioral problems.Parent training programs for families of children with neurodisabilities vary in relation to their aims, involvement of parents in delivering interventions, disability-specific content, and delivery methods.When referring families, rehabilitation professionals should be aware of aspects of child, parent, and family relational well-being targeted by parent training programs and, when feasible, give families a choice of the style of program to meet their needs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucyna Lach
- School of Social Work, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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117
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Takamatsu R. Responses to Infantile Cuteness Explain the Link between Autistic Traits and Reduced Maternal Attachment. J Genet Psychol 2023; 184:1-8. [PMID: 35975612 DOI: 10.1080/00221325.2022.2110854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the link between autistic traits and mother-to-child attachment by introducing two mediators: emotional responsiveness to the infantile cuteness of children and negative parental self-concept. We screened 1,317 mothers and recruited those who have a child with high or low autistic traits based on their Autism Spectrum Quotient score. Fifty mothers in the high autistic and 71 mothers in the low autistic groups participated. Results showed that the autistic traits of children are related to weak maternal attachment. Reduced emotional responses to cuteness and negative self-concept mediated the link. These findings suggest that supporting mothers who have a child with autism spectrum disorder may benefit securing mother-to-child attachment as well as the wellbeing of both mother and child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reina Takamatsu
- Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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118
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Truong DM, Mire SS, Day SX, Ni L, Keller-Margulis M. A cross-cultural comparison of a measure of parent perceptions among families of children with autism in Vietnam. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022; 27:997-1010. [PMID: 36510836 DOI: 10.1177/13623613221141262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Raising an autistic child can affect many aspects of families' lives. Parents are responsible for many decisions, from initiating evaluation to selecting and implementing treatments. How parents conceptualize the course and nature of their child's diagnosis influences these processes and parents' own well-being. Parents' perceptions about their children's autism are also affected by cultural contexts and understanding of autism. The Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised (IPQ-R) is widely used to study cognitions in chronic health research and has been adapted and validated to measure parents' perceptions and beliefs about their children's ASD (IPQ-R-ASD). However, such studies are mostly conducted in high-income countries (HICs) with western, individualistic cultural values (e.g. United States, Canada). Therefore, it is unclear whether the IPQ-R-ASD is a useful instrument in understanding parents' perceptions of autism in Vietnam, a lower- and middle-income country (LMIC) with collectivistic Asian cultural values. These differences suggest that parents in Vietnam may have cognitive representations of their children's autism that differ from those of parents living in HIC, western countries. The purpose of this study was to examine the usability of the translated Vietnamese IPQ-R-ASD that may, ultimately, help explore Vietnamese parents' autism perceptions. While the study's result indicated the usability of the translated measure in Vietnam, when interpreted with Vietnamese norms, results also highlighted notable differences between Vietnamese and North American parents' perceptions of autism that warrant further research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lan Ni
- University of Houston, USA
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119
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Cheng S, Cheng S, Liu S, Li Y. Parents' pandemic stress, parental involvement, and family quality of life for children with autism. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1061796. [PMID: 36530705 PMCID: PMC9751346 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1061796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Research has shown that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suffered high levels of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and faced poor family quality of life (FQOL). However, little is known about the inherent dynamic interaction between pandemic stress and FQOL, especially in the Chinese cultural context. Aims This study provides preliminary evidence by examining the relationships among pandemic stress, parental involvement, and FQOL for children with autism in mainland China. Method A total of 709 parents of children with autism completed measures of FQOL, parental involvement, and pandemic stress. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the interrelations among these variables. Results Pandemic stress has direct effect and indirect effect mediated by parental involvement on FQOL. Two dimensions of pandemic stress had a direct effect on FQOL (β1 = 0.11; β2 = -0.55) and three dimensions had an indirect effect on FQOL through parental involvement (β1 = -0.097; β2 = 0.257; β3 = 0.114). Conclusion Stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic affects family quality of life for children with autism in complex ways. Policies may be developed to enhance parental pragmatic hopefulness in the anti-epidemic victory and alleviate negative physical and mental reactions caused by the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sanyin Cheng
- School of Philosophy and Social Development, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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120
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Potter SN, Bullard L, Banasik A, Feigles RT, Nguyen V, McDuffie A, Thurman AJ, Hagerman R, Abbeduto L. Family and Caregiver Characteristics Contribute to Caregiver Change in Use of Strategies and Growth in Child Spoken Language in a Parent-Implemented Language Intervention in Fragile X Syndrome. PERSPECTIVES OF THE ASHA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS 2022; 7:1630-1644. [PMID: 36778100 PMCID: PMC9910303 DOI: 10.1044/2022_persp-22-00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Purpose This study examined relationships among family characteristics, caregiver change in use of strategies, and child growth in spoken language over the course of a parent-implemented language intervention (PILI) that was developed to address some of the challenges associated with the fragile X syndrome (FXS) phenotype. Method Participants were 43 parent-child dyads from two different PILI studies, both of which taught parents various language facilitation strategies to support child language. Before starting the intervention, parents reported on their mental health, parenting stress, and parenting competence. This study focused on potential barriers to treatment gains by examining correlations between the measures of parent well-being and (a) parent change in use of intervention strategies taught in the PILI and (b) changes in child language outcomes from preto post-intervention. Results Parents in this study had elevated mental health symptoms across several domains and increased rates of parenting stress. Furthermore, although PILI resulted in treatment gains for both parents and children, a variety of parent mental health symptoms were found to be significantly and negatively associated with change in use of strategies and growth in child language over the course of the intervention. Some inconsistent findings also emerged regarding the relationships between parenting stress and competence and change in parent strategy use and growth in child language. Conclusions This study provides preliminary evidence that parents who are experiencing significant mental health challenges may have a more difficult time participating fully in PILIs and that there may be subsequent effects on child outcomes. Future PILIs could benefit from addressing parent well-being as a substantial part of the intervention program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nelson Potter
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA
| | - Lauren Bullard
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA
| | - Amy Banasik
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA
| | - Robyn Tempero Feigles
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA
| | - Vivian Nguyen
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA
| | - Andrea McDuffie
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA
| | - Angela John Thurman
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA
| | - Randi Hagerman
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA,Department of Pediatrics, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA
| | - Leonard Abbeduto
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA
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121
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Yang Y, Zhao S, Zhang M, Xiang M, Zhao J, Chen S, Wang H, Han L, Ran J. Prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders among US children and adolescents in 2019 and 2020. Front Psychol 2022; 13:997648. [PMID: 36507037 PMCID: PMC9730394 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.997648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Concerning the changes in the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), we estimate the prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disorder (ID), and learning disability (LD) among US children and adolescents aged 3-17 years in 2019 and 2020. Methods The study includes 14,983 US children and adolescents aged 3-17 years in 2019 and 2020 from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Parents were interviewed about whether their children ever and/or currently had NDDs diagnosed. Prevalence estimates of NDDs were calculated with a survey-based weighting scheme. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations between NDDs prevalence and subgroups. Results The weighted prevalence of ADHD, ASD, ID, and LD was 8.5% (95% CI: 7.9-9.2%), 2.9% (95% CI: 2.6-3.4%), 1.4% (95% CI: 1.2-1.7%), and 6.4% (95% CI: 5.8-7.0%), respectively. A higher prevalence of ADHD, ASD, ID, and LD was observed in boys, those who ever had anxiety or depression symptoms, those with lower family income, those living in a rented house, ever been bullied, and ever lived with anyone mentally ill. Conclusion The study found the prevalence of ADHD, ASD, ID, and LD was different by demographics, comorbidity/mental problems, household/parental characteristics, and stressful life events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Yang
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi Zhao
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Meihui Zhang
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mi Xiang
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhao
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shucheng Chen
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hui Wang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lefei Han
- School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Lefei Han,
| | - Jinjun Ran
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,Jinjun Ran,
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122
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Gustafsson BM, Sund-Levander M. Parents’ experiences of investigations and interventions by Child Healthcare, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Child and Youth Habilitation. CHILDRENS HEALTH CARE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/02739615.2022.2143360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- B M Gustafsson
- Department of Psychiatry and Rehabilitation, Psychiatric Clinic, Högland Hospital, Eksjö, Region Jönköping County, Sweden
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - M Sund-Levander
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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123
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Richardson K, Mackenzie L, Lovarini M, Dickson C. Occupational therapy incorporating dogs for autistic children and young people: Parent perspectives. Br J Occup Ther 2022; 85:859-868. [PMID: 40337152 PMCID: PMC12033840 DOI: 10.1177/03080226221086217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2025]
Abstract
Introduction Dogs may elicit positive therapy outcomes for children/adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, little is known about the parent perspectives of the use of dogs as part of an occupational therapy program for ASD. This study aimed to explore parent perspectives about the Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) component of the occupational therapy intervention their child/adolescent received across five weekly sessions. Method Using a phenomenological approach, 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents (13 mothers and four fathers) following an AAT occupational therapy program. Thematic analysis was conducted. Results Three themes were identified relating to the value parents attributed to the AAT occupational therapy program with dogs for their child/adolescent: 1. Stress and anxiety management; 2. Participation and engagement and 3. Social communication. Positive outcomes identified by parents included the dogs being a calming influence and facilitating the participation of their child/adolescent in life-skill activities. Conclusion Parents valued AAT occupational therapy involving dogs. Future studies should investigate how to best target this occupational therapy approach for autistic children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Richardson
- The University of Sydney, Discipline of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lynette Mackenzie
- The University of Sydney, Discipline of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Meryl Lovarini
- The University of Sydney, Discipline of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Claire Dickson
- Occupational Therapist, Assistance Dogs Australia, Engadine, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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124
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Lense M, Liu T, Booke L, Crawley Z, Beck S. Integrated parent-child music classes for preschoolers with and without autism: Parent expectations and experiences. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2022; 1517:78-87. [PMID: 35979848 PMCID: PMC9671817 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Integrated recreational programs designed to support neurodiverse children and their families are important vehicles for community participation. In this mixed-methods study, we investigated the mechanisms by which parent-child music classes for autistic and neurotypical children can support community participation. Parents of autistic (n = 33) and typically developing (TD; n = 28) preschoolers were interviewed about their expectations for and experiences of participating in a 12-week psychoeducational parent-child music program. Parents completed ratings of momentary affect and social connection, and researchers coded children's behavioral engagement during classes at multiple time points throughout the program. Primary motivations for enrolling in an integrated music class included children's interest in music and opportunities for child socialization. Parent-focused reasons were less frequently endorsed as primary motivations for participation. Yet, momentary ratings indicated that music classes supported parents' affect regulation and social connection with other parents at the level of individual classes and across the program. These in-class experiences were echoed by interviews following program completion, which additionally highlighted the use of new parenting strategies through the musical activities. Since parental emotional experiences of activities, supportive community relationships, and parenting confidence are all linked with increased community participation, integrated music classes may support participation and satisfaction with community experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Lense
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- The Curb Center for Art, Enterprise, and Public Policy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Talia Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Lauren Booke
- In Tune Music & Wellness, Bellevue, Tennessee, USA
- Augsburg University, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Zoe Crawley
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Psychology & Human Development, Peabody College of Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sara Beck
- Department of Psychology, Randolph College, Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
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125
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Carruthers S, Mleczko N, Page S, Ahuja S, Ellis C, Howlin P, Leadbitter K, Taylor L, Slonims V, Charman T. Using implementation science frameworks to explore barriers and facilitators for parents' use of therapeutic strategies following a parent-mediated autism intervention. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022; 27:1011-1025. [PMID: 36314780 PMCID: PMC10115939 DOI: 10.1177/13623613221125630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Many early autism interventions teach parents therapeutic strategies to help them adjust their communication style with their children. Research has shown that this behaviour change in parents leads to improvements in child communication. It is, therefore, important to learn what factors support or hinder parents in their use of therapeutic strategies learned in such interventions. This study set out to interview parents who had participated in a research trial of the Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy-Generalised intervention. We interviewed 27 caregivers and explored their use of the strategies up to 2 years after the end of the research trial. Qualitative frameworks were used to inform interview questions and data analysis. These frameworks focused on a range of contextual factors, including parents' characteristics, their context and features of the intervention. Parents reported barriers and facilitators to using Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy-Generalised strategies across three themes: Motivating Factors; Opportunity and Support; Parent Characteristics. One of these themes, Motivating Factors, was further divided into the subthemes Compatibility and Buy-In and Alignment of Goals and Outcomes. Almost all parents reported continued use of the Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy-Generalised strategies. Facilitators included parental confidence in using the strategies and barriers included child's behaviour. Consideration of these factors can inform ways to better support parents in future autism interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Vicky Slonims
- King's College London, UK
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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Recommendations for Diversifying Racial and Ethnic Representation in Autism Intervention Research: A Crossover Review of Recruitment and Retention Practices in Pediatric Mental Health. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11216468. [PMID: 36362698 PMCID: PMC9654487 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11216468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Disparities in diagnosis and access to healthcare and therapeutic services are well-documented for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from minoritized races and ethnicities, but there is little empirical research to guide the selection and implementation of interventions and practices that will effectively support racially/ethnically diverse children with ASD and their families. This cross-over systematic review summarizes parent-mediated intervention research of children with or at risk for mental health disorders to identify potentially effective recruitment and retention strategies for diverse participants in parent-mediated intervention research for children with autism. Electronic database keyword, lead author name searches in PyschNet, MEDLINE, and ancestral searches were conducted to identify 68 relevant articles that used experimental designs to evaluate the effects of parent-mediated interventions on children with or at risk for mental health disorders. Articles were coded for participant demographics; intervention setting and type, recruitment and retention strategies, cultural adaptation of intervention, and reported attrition. Findings are discussed and applied to practices in autism parent-mediated intervention research. Suggestions for future research and limitations are discussed.
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127
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Mardhiyah A, Panduragan SL, Mediani HS. Reducing Psychological Impacts on Children with Chronic Disease via Family Empowerment: A Scoping Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:2034. [PMID: 36292480 PMCID: PMC9602354 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10102034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic diseases cause physical and psychological impacts on sufferers. In dealing with illness, the family is not involved in the treatment of chronic diseases. Children also do not receive support from their families in dealing with their illness. Family empowerment is an important thing to implement in treating children with chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore family empowerment interventions as potential methods to reduce the impact of chronic disease. This study used the scoping review method. A literature review was conducted via CINAHL, PubMed, and ProQuest databases. The keywords used in English were "family empowerment OR family center empowerment" AND "child OR children" AND "chronic disease". The criteria for articles in this study were full text, free access, randomized control trial or quasi-experiment research design, English language, population and samples of chronic disease, and the publication period of the last 10 years (2013-2022). We found nine articles that used a family empowerment intervention in an effort to reduce the impact of chronic disease on children. Most of the study designs were randomized control trial and quasi-experiment. Some of the benefits of family empowerment interventions were quality of life, family care, and self-ability. The interventions helped the families to be empowered and actively participate in caring for children with chronic diseases. There were nine articles that discussed family empowerment interventions that have an impact in dealing with the impact of chronic disease on children, namely improving quality of life, family care, and self-ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai Mardhiyah
- Faculty of Health Science, Lincoln University College, Petaling Jaya 47301, Malaysia
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
| | | | - Henny Suzana Mediani
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
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Bin Eid W, Lim M, Gabrieli G, Kölbel M, Halstead E, Esposito G, Dimitriou D. Habilitation of sleep problems among mothers and their children with autism spectrum disorder: Insights from multi-level exploratory dyadic analyses. FRONTIERS IN REHABILITATION SCIENCES 2022; 3:915060. [PMID: 36211831 PMCID: PMC9533106 DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2022.915060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Few habilitation strategies for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) consider their sleep-related problems. Together with the fact that caregivers of children with ASD also face issues with sleep, there may be yet-to-be uncovered relationships between caregiver-child sleep patterns and sleep quality, offering a key opportunity for clinicians to consider the needs of both child and caregiver in terms of sleep. 29 dyads of mothers and their children with ASD were recruited for this cohort study and both subjective (self-report questionnaires and sleep diaries) and objective (cortisol samples and actigraphy) measures of sleep were collected to investigate significant predictors of sleep quality. Comparative, correlational, and hierarchical analyses were conducted. Findings indicated that both mother and child experience sleep deprivation in terms of shorter sleep duration and poor sleep quality in terms of longer sleep onset latencies and a higher frequency of wake bouts. Exploratory hierarchical analyses also found that child-related sleep difficulties such as sleep disordered breathing and night waking significantly predict mothers' sleep quality, which may point to the bi-directional influence of mother-child sleep. Based on these findings, it is recommended that clinicians adopt a family systems perspective and consider the sleep environment of the household, particularly that of the caregiver and child, when designing interventions for sleep-related problems in ASD. Finally, there is a need for additional support to promote good quality sleep among caregivers of children with ASD to bolster out-of-clinic care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasmiah Bin Eid
- Sleep Education and Research Laboratory, UCL Institute of Education, London, UK
| | - Mengyu Lim
- Psychology Program, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Giulio Gabrieli
- Psychology Program, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Melanie Kölbel
- Sleep Education and Research Laboratory, UCL Institute of Education, London, UK
- Department of Developmental Neurosciences Unit, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Halstead
- Sleep Education and Research Laboratory, UCL Institute of Education, London, UK
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Affiliative Behaviour and Physiology Lab, Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Italy
| | - Dagmara Dimitriou
- Sleep Education and Research Laboratory, UCL Institute of Education, London, UK
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Considering autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a neurodevelopmental condition associated with immune system impairments, we aimed to evaluate the potential benefits, efficacy, tolerability, and safety of the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective trans-resveratrol (RSV) in behavioral impairments and in a set of 8 microRNAs (miR) related to the immune system in pediatric subjects with ASD. METHODS This is an open-label pilot trial over a 3 months (90 days) study follow-up period designed to assess the effect of 200 mg/d RSV on 5 boys aged 10 to 13 (11.8 ± 1.1) years diagnosed with ASD according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. RESULTS The RSV treatment significantly reduced the Aberrant Behavior Checklist total score (P = 0.042) and Irritability (P = 0.041), with no alteration in Stereotypical Behavior (P = 0.066), Hyperactivity (P = 0.068), and Lethargy/Social Withdrawal (P = 0.078) subscales. On the Clinical Global Impression scale, 3 individuals showed marked improvement in behavior; one showed mild improvement, and the other had no changes. The RSV treatment increased the miR-195-5p (P = 0.043), an important modulator of targets related to inflammatory and immunological pathways. RSV administration did not present adverse effects and did not alter clinical laboratory results. CONCLUSIONS RSV is a safe molecule for administrating in the pediatric population, able to modulate behavior alterations and molecules associated with the immune system, becoming a promising therapeutic strategy for large-scale studies in ASD, to investigate both behavioral and molecular approaches.
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Agarwal R, Wuyke G, Sharma U, Burke SL, Howard M, Li T, Sanchez M, Bastida E. Stress and Anxiety Among Parents of Transition-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Systematic Review of Interventions and Scales. REVIEW JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS 2022; 11:1-23. [PMID: 36065251 PMCID: PMC9434067 DOI: 10.1007/s40489-022-00340-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The period between adolescence to young adulthood can be stressful for parents of transition-aged children (14 to 22 years old) with autism spectrum disorder. A systematic review was undertaken to examine if existing interventions address the unique parental stressors of this phase and if the scales used to measure parental stress and anxiety are suitable for this group. Of the 9813 studies screened, only 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings indicated that interventions focused on mindfulness, social functioning, or multiple components, of which only two addressed the transition period and only three specifically targeted parents of this age group. Moreover, of the six scales which assessed stress or anxiety, none were designed for these parents. Findings highlight the urgent need for more suitable scales and targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumi Agarwal
- FIU Embrace, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199 USA
| | - Gabriella Wuyke
- Department of Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199 USA
| | - Utsav Sharma
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA
| | - Shanna L. Burke
- School of Social Work, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199 USA
| | - Melissa Howard
- Department of Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199 USA
| | - Tan Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199 USA
| | - Mariana Sanchez
- Department of Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199 USA
| | - Elena Bastida
- Department of Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199 USA
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131
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Wang F, Lao UC, Xing YP, Zhou P, Deng WL, Wang Y, Ji Y, Chen MY, Li H, Zou XB. Parents' knowledge and attitude and behavior toward autism: a survey of Chinese families having children with autism spectrum disorder. Transl Pediatr 2022; 11:1445-1457. [PMID: 36247889 PMCID: PMC9561515 DOI: 10.21037/tp-22-113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, parent-mediated intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased. Therefore, implementing effective parent training programs for parents of children with autism is of paramount importance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. However, little is known about the status of and gaps in parents' knowledge on ASD, which may hinder the development of valid parental training programs. Herein, we aimed at exploring the status of Chinese parents' knowledge, attitude and behavior toward ASD, and potential factors affecting the acquisition of correct knowledge. METHODS This study used a self-designed parental knowledge questionnaire of autism (PKQA) comprising 20 questions alongside another questionnaire comprising additional 17 questions covering the aspects of family demographics, attitudes, and behaviors of parents. In total, we included 394 parents who visited the outpatient department of the Child's Development and Behavior Center of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University between December 2018 and May 2019, with their children meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for ASD. RESULTS The median knowledge score in the PKQA was 15 [interquartile range (IQR), 13-17]. Advanced paternal age and longer time interval from diagnosis to enrolling into the parent training program were associated with a lower total knowledge score (all P<0.001). Higher maternal education attainment, higher family income, child being currently under intervention, and family members sharing a common perception of the diagnosis were associated with a higher total knowledge score (all P<0.01). Reading autism-related books (P<0.001) or attending professional lectures (P=0.019) were also associated with a higher total knowledge score. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, this study revealed that family demographics and parents' attitudes and behaviors toward ASD may significantly influence their knowledge about autism, suggesting the need for promoting more targeted parental skills training programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Child Development and Behavior Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - U-Chong Lao
- Child Development and Behavior Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Pei Xing
- Child Development and Behavior Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wen-Lin Deng
- Department of Pediatrics, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Child Development and Behavior Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Ji
- Child Development and Behavior Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Miao-Ying Chen
- Child Development and Behavior Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hai Li
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Zou
- Child Development and Behavior Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Verma A, Priyank H, Viswanath B, Bhagat JK, Purbay S, V M, Shivakumar S. Assessment of Parental Perceptions of Socio-Psychological Factors, Unmet Dental Needs, and Barriers to Utilise Oral Health Care in Autistic Children. Cureus 2022; 14:e27950. [PMID: 36120282 PMCID: PMC9467495 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.27950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Parents' participation is crucial in the dental health intervention of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parenting children with ASD is extremely stressful and challenging. Parents and other caregivers have a responsibility to care for and raise children with ASD. Parental perception of the condition, situational adaptation, and attitude towards the issue are significant indicators of how they will respond and eventually adapt to it. METHODOLOGY A comparative, descriptive study was done on parents of 154 autistic children and 235 normal children. An 11-variable questionnaire eliciting various details of socio-psychological factors affecting the utilisation of oral health care was designed and validated. The questionnaire also included parameters regarding barriers to accessing dental services. The dental caries and oral hygiene status of all children were examined using the Basic Oral Health Survey 2013 proforma. Chi-square and independent t-tests were applied to find significant differences between the groups. RESULTS A greater number of male children (61.0%) were observed among autistic children. Parental perception regarding socio-psychological concerns with raising an autistic child showed significant differences for all variables between the groups except for assistance in the child's task with 90.2% as against 55% of the parents with non-autistic children. Parents of autistic children were more receptive to the idea of focus group discussion. Decayed teeth were significantly found to be higher in autistic cohorts (2.554 ± 1.616 versus 1.779 ± 1.841). Oral hygiene status was also statistically significant amongst autism-affected children than those who were not at p =0.000. CONCLUSION The present study explored various socio-psychological factors of parental perception of autistic children. A better outcome can be suggested when parents gained awareness regarding various strategies and treatment options available for their child's oral health. Furthermore, dental health can be improved by bringing in certain environmental modifications in which the autistic child is groomed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Verma
- Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Hazaribagh College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Hazaribagh, IND
| | - Harsh Priyank
- Department of Conservative, Endodontics & Aesthetic Dentistry, Dental College, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
| | - Butta Viswanath
- Department of Conservative, Endodontics and Aesthetic Dentistry, Dental College, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
| | - Jaimesh Kumar Bhagat
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Mithila Minority Dental College and Hospital, Darbhanga, IND
| | - Saurav Purbay
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Hazaribagh College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Hazaribagh, IND
| | | | - Sahana Shivakumar
- Public Health Dentistry, Peoples College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal, IND
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Han M, Diwan S, Cole T, Hay K, Paturzo M. Service Utilization, Self-Efficacy, Positive Attitude and Well-Being Among Asian American Family Caregivers of Persons with Serious Mental Illnesses. Community Ment Health J 2022; 58:1038-1048. [PMID: 35064855 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-021-00912-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The well-being of the family caregivers of people with serious mental illnesses (SMIs) is a crucial success factor in the recovery of the afflicted family member. This cross-sectional quantitative study examined the associations between the use of formal mental health services, self-efficacy, and positive attitudes and their effects on the well-being of Asian American family caregivers of people with SMIs. Using convenience and snowball sampling, 116 Asian American family caregivers of people with SMIs in Northern California were recruited for this study. We found that formal mental health service utilization predicted an enhanced sense of self-efficacy. Higher levels of self-efficacy were related to attitudes being more positive, and these positive attitudes contributed to enhanced overall well-being. These findings suggest that mental health professionals should develop culturally competent and tailored services for Asian American family caregivers to support self-efficacy, which is fundamental to maintaining positive attitudes and promoting wellness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meekyung Han
- School of Social Work, San José State University, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA, 95192-0124, USA.
| | - Sadhna Diwan
- School of Social Work, San José State University, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA, 95192-0124, USA
| | - Tomasine Cole
- School of Social Work, San José State University, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA, 95192-0124, USA
| | - Kristen Hay
- School of Social Work, San José State University, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA, 95192-0124, USA
| | - Marisa Paturzo
- School of Social Work, San José State University, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA, 95192-0124, USA
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Alkhateeb JM, Hadidi MS, Mounzer W. The Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder on Parents in Arab Countries: A Systematic Literature Review. Front Psychol 2022; 13:955442. [PMID: 35911024 PMCID: PMC9330163 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.955442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Having a child with autism spectrum disorder can have significant psychological effects on parents. This systematic review summarizes the current state of literature underscoring the impact of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on parents in Arab countries. Methods A systematic search of seven databases (PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Google Scholar, ERIC, Academic Search Complete, and PsycINFO) was performed, which identified 24 studies (20 quantitative studies and four qualitative studies) that included 3,299 parents or caregivers of children with ASD. These studies were conducted in 10 Arab countries (Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Emirates, Palestine, Qatar, and Lebanon). Results The majority of the included studies found that ASD has a significant negative impact on the mental health and wellbeing of Arab parents. It was found that parents of children with ASD have a poor quality of life (QoL) and an increased risk of psychological disorders. These findings were in contrast to findings of parents of typically developing children and children with other developmental disorders. Challenges faced by parents of children with ASD were associated with several child- and parent-related factors. The most common coping strategy used by parents was religious coping. Conclusion The impact of ASD on parents has only recently gained traction among researchers in Arab countries. Despite several knowledge gaps, published studies have provided useful information outlining the impact of ASD on parents in some of these countries. Further research comprising larger random samples and using varied research and data-collection methods is required to understand the multifaceted challenges experienced by parents raising children with ASD in Arab countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamal M. Alkhateeb
- Department of Special Education, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Muna S. Hadidi
- Department of Special Education, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Wissam Mounzer
- Department of Special Education, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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135
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Stiller A, Stiller C. Parental report of quality of life in autistic children and youths: the role of parents' (informal) social support, and children's active leisure time. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2022; 70:354-364. [PMID: 38699505 PMCID: PMC11062282 DOI: 10.1080/20473869.2022.2092935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Research examining the quality of life (QoL) in children with autism in relation to leisure behavior is extremely rare. An online survey of parents (N = 282) was conducted to help to fill this gap. Using structural equation model (SEM), the association between the parents' (informal) social support and children's QoL (reported by parents) was examined. In this, parental behavior, children's active leisure time, children's TV consumption, as well as children's self-worth (reported by the parents) were integrated. Findings suggested that the parents' (informal) social support, children's active leisure, and self-worth have a positive effect on children's QoL. Implications of the results are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Stiller
- Der Kinderschutzbund Landesverband Niedersachsen e.V., Hanover, Germany
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Vella Fondacaro D, Vella Fondacaro F, Camilleri N. A Qualitative Exploration of Parental Views When Comparing Individual to Group Sports in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder—A Pilot Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116906. [PMID: 35682489 PMCID: PMC9180169 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: Physical activity is important for children with autism spectrum disorder. This study aimed to analyse autistic children’s and their parents’ preferences between group and individual physical activity, while exploring potential social barriers that they might encounter. (2) Methods: Retrospective analysis identified 701 new referrals received by the Maltese national child and adolescent mental health service, between 2016 and 2017. Of them, 24 received a sole diagnosis of autism and 10 were chosen via purposive sampling. A semi-structured interview guide was created, including readability testing, translation/back-translation, inter-rater agreements, and focus group testing. Parents were informed, consented, interviewed and thematic analysis carried out. Further quantitative data were tabled accordingly. (3) Results: Only one child met World Health Organisation recommendations for physical activity. More children preferred individual sports while parents described more benefits with group sports. Parents’ perceived benefits with group sports included better socialization, while improved levels of self-esteem and coping with anxiety were highlighted benefits for individual sports. Parents felt misunderstood, burnt out, and described a lack of autism-friendly sports facilities, including geographical disproportionation of adequate facilities on the island. Too much screen time was a major parental concern. (4) Conclusion: Recommendations aim to develop sport therapy systems and well-resourced services in Malta. Staff training is recommended to improve service quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Vella Fondacaro
- Mental Health Services, ATD 9033 Attard, Malta;
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Nigel Camilleri
- Mental Health Services, ATD 9033 Attard, Malta;
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta
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Parental Influence in Disengagement during Robot-Assisted Activities: A Case Study of a Parent and Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. MULTIMODAL TECHNOLOGIES AND INTERACTION 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/mti6050039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined the influence of a parent on robot-assisted activities for a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We observed the interactions between a robot and the child wearing a wearable device during free play sessions. The child participated in four sessions with the parent and interacted willingly with the robot, therapist, and parent. The parent intervened when the child did not interact with the robot, considered “disengagement with the robot”. The number and method of intervention were decided solely by the parent. This study adopted video recording for behavioral observations and specifically observed the situations before the disengagement with the robot, the child’s behaviors during disengagement, and the parent’s intervention. The results showed that mostly the child abruptly discontinued the interactions with the robot without being stimulated by the surrounding environment. The second most common reason was being distracted by various devices in the play sessions, such as the wearable device, a video camera, and a laptop. Once he was disengaged with the robot, he primarily exhibited inappropriate and repetitive behaviors accentuating the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. The child could re-initiate the interaction with the robot with an 80% chance through the parent’s intervention. This suggests that engagement with a robot may differ depending on the parent’s participation. Moreover, we must consider types of parental feedback to re-initiate engagement with a robot to benefit from the therapy adequately. In addition, environmental distractions must be considered, especially when using multiple devices for therapy.
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Matin BK, Byford S, Soltani S, Kazemi-Karyani A, Atafar Z, Zereshki E, Soofi M, Rezaei S, Rakhshan ST, Jahangiri P. Contributing factors to healthcare costs in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:604. [PMID: 35524328 PMCID: PMC9074281 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07932-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to use healthcare than their counterparts without disabilities, which imposes high medical costs to families and health systems. This study aimed to investigate healthcare costs and its determinants among individuals with ASD. METHODS In this systematic review, we searched online databases (Web of Science, Medline through PubMed and Scopus) for observational and experimental studies that included data on service use and costs associated with ASD and published between January 2000 and May 2021. Exclusion criteria included non-English language articles, duplicates, abstracts, qualitative studies, gray literature, and non-original papers (e.g., letters to editors, editorials, reviews, etc.). RESULTS Our searches yielded 4015 articles screened according to PRISMA guidelines. Of 4015 studies identified, 37 articles from 10 countries were eligible for final inclusion. Therapeutic interventions, outpatient visits and medications constituted the largest proportion of direct medical expenditure on individuals with ASD. Included studies suggest lack of health insurance, having associated morbidities, more severe symptoms, younger age groups and lower socioeconomic status (SES) are associated with higher medical expenditure in individuals with ASD. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review identified a range of factors, including lower SES and lack of health insurance, which are associated with higher healthcare costs in people with ASD. Our study supports the formulation of policy options to reduce financial risks in families of individuals with ASD in countries which do not have a tax-based or universal health coverage system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behzad Karami Matin
- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | | | - Shahin Soltani
- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Ali Kazemi-Karyani
- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Zahra Atafar
- Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Ehsan Zereshki
- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Moslem Soofi
- Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Satar Rezaei
- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Shiva Tolouei Rakhshan
- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Parvin Jahangiri
- Behavioral Disease Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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139
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Preston R, Halpin M, Clarke G, Millard S. Palin parent-child interaction therapy with children with autism spectrum disorder and stuttering. JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS 2022; 97:106217. [PMID: 35594755 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2022.106217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It is estimated that 8% of children who stutter (CWS) have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Briley & Ellis (2018). There is evidence that interventions for CWS and interventions for children with ASD can be effective, but there is little evidence to guide clinical decision making when working with CWS with a co-existing diagnosis of ASD. Palin Parent-Child Interaction (PCI) therapy Kelman & Nicholas (2020) is an evidence-based intervention for CWS, with the authors suggesting that the approach may be beneficial for CWS with ASD. The aim of this study was to examine outcomes for three CWS with ASD who received Palin PCI at a specialist centre for stuttering in London. METHOD The participants were three CWS with ASD aged 4;5, 6;7 and 7;7. Assessments were administered before therapy, and then at three, six and twelve months after therapy began. Outcome measures included stuttering frequency, child's communication attitude, parents' perception of the impact of stuttering on the child, the severity of stuttering and its impact on the parents, and parents' knowledge and confidence in managing stuttering. RESULTS All three children showed improvement in three or more variables. Four out of five parents reported reduced impact of stuttering on the child and themselves following therapy, and change was maintained one year post-therapy. All five parents reported increased knowledge of stuttering and confidence in managing it after therapy, and four parents maintained these changes for a year. CONCLUSIONS Over a one year period, these CWS with ASD who received Palin PCI showed change across multiple variables. The observed increases in parent knowledge and confidence were comparable to previously published data. These preliminary findings suggest that CWS with ASD and their parents can benefit from Palin PCI therapy and that further experimental evaluation of this approach with this client group is indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Preston
- City, University of London, Northampton Square, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 0HB, United Kingdom.
| | - Marie Halpin
- Michael Palin Centre, 13-15 Pine St, Farringdon, London EC1R 0JG, United Kingdom
| | - Gemma Clarke
- Michael Palin Centre, 13-15 Pine St, Farringdon, London EC1R 0JG, United Kingdom
| | - Sharon Millard
- City, University of London, Northampton Square, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 0HB, United Kingdom; Michael Palin Centre, 13-15 Pine St, Farringdon, London EC1R 0JG, United Kingdom
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140
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Chiri G, Bergey M, Mackie TI. Deserving but not entitled: The social construction of autism spectrum disorder in federal policy. Soc Sci Med 2022; 301:114974. [PMID: 35452891 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Public policies play an influential role in shaping public opinion about health conditions, who is affected by them, and potential pathways for identification and intervention. This study draws upon a social constructionist perspective of policy design and disability to examine how autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been framed in United States federal legislation. Qualitative content analysis of autism legislation passed between 1973 and 2019 indicates that policies reinforced ASD as a largely medicalized, neurobiological condition of childhood; this was reflected in both the policy aims, sources of knowledge and groups prioritized to address ASD; and the symbolic or material resources committed (or not committed) by enacted federal legislation to specific constituencies. Policy aims of early ASD legislation were symbolic in nature, focusing predominantly on framing children with ASD as a group worthy of public recognition. More recent legislation, in contrast, conferred material resources - albeit in targeted ways. Funding for surveillance and medical research on causation, early detection, treatment, and health professional training were prioritized with little attention to either service delivery needs of individuals with ASD and their families, supports over the lifecourse, or the social factors influencing ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Chiri
- RTI International, Center for the Health of Populations, Waltham, MA, USA.
| | - Meredith Bergey
- Department of Sociology and Criminology, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, USA
| | - Thomas I Mackie
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
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141
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A Preliminary Evaluation of a Brief Behavioral Parent Training for Challenging Behavior in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2022:10.1007/s10803-022-05493-3. [PMID: 35488976 PMCID: PMC9055015 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05493-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit challenging behaviors. Existing behavioral parent trainings (BPT) address ASD symptomology, but are lengthy and associated with significant attrition. In the current pilot study, a longitudinal randomized controlled trial was used to evaluate a novel brief BPT targeting caregivers of children with ASD ages 5–9. The 6-session BPT, delivered in a group format, focused on high-frequency challenging behaviors (e.g., problem behaviors, feeding and sleep issues). Caregivers who received BPT (n = 29), relative to an active control (psychoeducation/supportive therapy; n = 9), reported higher treatment satisfaction and acceptability. Challenging behaviors were reduced in the BPT and active control groups. The novel BPT was a feasible and acceptable intervention to target challenging behaviors in youth with ASD.
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142
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Nylén-Eriksen M, Lara-Cabrera ML, Grov EK, Skarsvaag H, Lie I, Dahl-Michelsen T, Sæterstrand TM, Mandahl A, Hafstad H, Lersveen MB, Bjørnnes AK. Fighting the waves; Covid-19 family life interference in a neurodevelopmental disorder-caregiver population. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:472. [PMID: 35399084 PMCID: PMC8994698 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07836-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The current COVID-19 pandemic interferes with family lives across the world, particularly families of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are at a greater risk for being negatively impacted by the pandemic. Together with representatives from this caregiver population the aim was to explore the interference associated with normal family life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Method This is a descriptive study using a cross-sectional design. Following a strategic network sampling strategy, a user-developed national survey was completed by a larger sample (N = 1,186) of parents and informal caregivers of children with NDDs. The survey utilized a combination of both closed and open-ended questions, and a logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess the association between family characteristics, characteristics of the child, and COVID-19 related family life interference. Before carrying out the regression an inductive content analysis of the open-ended question on `How has the isolation affected the family´ was carried out to construct the outcome variable. Results The initial analysis indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic induced a shift in everyday family life and a lack of guidance and support related to managing the challenges they were facing. Caregivers who reported that COVID-19 had significantly interfered with their family life, were more likely to report having anxious children, and to have experienced an increased number of conflicts at home. The logistic regression showed that both anxious children and increased conflicts considerably increased the risk for reporting family life interference compared to those that reported no increased conflicts or anxious children. Discussion Considering how the COVID-19 related increased conflicts at home and anxious children threaten the family life of the NDD caregiver population, as an external source of family stress, which might lead to negative impact on their mental and physical well-being, the need for further research in collaboration with user representatives is apparent. Our study suggests that more information should be provided to healthcare providers, social professionals, peers, people with NDDs, and caregivers of people with NDDs about the potential threats that a stressful life event such as the current pandemic can pose to their mental and physical health and their family life.
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-07836-3.
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143
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Fallahchai R, Fallahi M. Parental stress and dyadic adjustment among parents of children with ASD: Moderating effects of dyadic coping and perceived social support. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2022; 123:104192. [PMID: 35149330 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies examining the association between child behavior problems and parental stress have reported mixed results. AIM This study aimed to explore the associations between child behavior problems and parental stress as well as parental stress and dyadic adjustment, and the moderating roles of stress communication, perceived partner supportive dyadic coping, and perceived social support in the relationship between parental stress and dyadic adjustment. METHODS AND PROCEDURES Data were derived from 233 parents with at least one child with ASD from Iran. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS The results demonstrated that child behavior problems were positively associated with parental stress whereas parental stress was negatively associated with dyadic adjustment. Furthermore, stress communication, perceived partner supportive dyadic coping, and perceived social support moderated the relationship between parental stress and dyadic adjustment. CONCLUSIONS The current findings may attract the attention of clinicians and professionals who work with parents of children with ASD on the effect of stress and how to manage stress on these parents' dyadic adjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Fallahchai
- Department of Psychology, University of Hormozgan, P.O. Box 3995, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
| | - Maryam Fallahi
- Department of Psychology, University of Hormozgan, P.O. Box 3995, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
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144
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Cook JE, Tovin MM, Kenyon LK. Understanding the Lived Experience of Caring for a Child With Severe Cerebral Palsy: A Critical Step Toward Psychologically Informed Family-Centered Care. Phys Ther 2022; 102:6481183. [PMID: 34972870 DOI: 10.1093/ptj/pzab294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of parents who care for children with cerebral palsy who function at a Gross Motor Function Classification System Level V, their beliefs about pain and non-pain-related emotional distress, and what it means to provide care and comfort. METHODS A phenomenological research design was used. Eleven participants were involved in this study. Pilot interviews informed the interview guide. Data were collected via participant journals and semi-structured interviews and analyzed using van Manen's framework for understanding experience. Trustworthiness criteria were met through a variety of strategies to ensure a rigorous research process. RESULTS Four themes were revealed in this study: "life is hard, heavy with burden, worry, and love," "remarkable," "identity transformation and empowerment," and "living a life that is planned, forced with structure and without spontaneity." CONCLUSION Caring for a child with lifelong needs is complex and requires a sensitive awareness of the contextual factors that impact daily decisions and routines. Understanding the lived experiences of parents who care for children with cerebral palsy Gross Motor Function Classification System Level V is necessary to provide psychologically informed, family-centered care. Comfort theory is presented as a framework for understanding what factors influence comfort and well-being. Understanding the complex nature of comfort for an individual can lead to greater understanding and empathy-driven care. These results will provide a foundation for future studies that aim to enhance pediatric physical therapist care through provider empathy and understanding. IMPACT Caregiving parent experiences are impactful and play a large role in the life of children with developmental disabilities. Research exploring the lived experience of caregivers may enhance empathy-driven, psychologically informed, family-centered physical therapist care throughout the life course. LAY SUMMARY If you are a parent who cares for a child with severe cerebral palsy, you have unique experiences that impact day-to-day activities and lifelong planning for your family and child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason E Cook
- Department of Physical Therapy, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Melissa M Tovin
- Department of Physical Therapy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
| | - Lisa K Kenyon
- Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
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145
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Bi XB, He HZ, Lin HY, Fan XZ. Influence of Social Support Network and Perceived Social Support on the Subjective Wellbeing of Mothers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychol 2022; 13:835110. [PMID: 35401352 PMCID: PMC8989138 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.835110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study explored the relations between the social support network of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), perceived social support, and their subjective wellbeing. The participants were mothers of children with ASD in Shanghai. Their social support network structure was explored via the nomination method. Perceived social support was measured using the Revised Social Provisions Scale for Autism (R-SPS-A), and the mothers’ subjective wellbeing was assessed using the Index of Wellbeing, Index of General Affect. A significant correlation was observed between the subjective wellbeing of mothers of children with ASD and perceived social support. Meanwhile, perceived social support was significantly correlated with the effectiveness of overall social support. Finally, perceived social support was also significantly correlated with the network size of social support. Moreover, the effectiveness of social support was significantly associated with the network size of social support and was highly significantly associated with the degree of intimacy of social support. Furthermore, the network size of instrumental support has a significant influence on all perceived social support subdimensions. Overall, social support effectiveness plays an important role in the social support network mechanism on perceived social support and subjective wellbeing in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-bin Bi
- Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui-zhong He
- Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Hui-zhong He,
| | - Hai-ying Lin
- Shanghai Rehabilitation Center for Children With Disabilities, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-zhuang Fan
- Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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146
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Mattsson M, Fernee CR, Pärnänen K, Lyytinen P. Restoring Connectedness in and to Nature: Three Nordic Examples of Recontextualizing Family Therapy to the Outdoors. Front Psychol 2022; 13:768614. [PMID: 35360556 PMCID: PMC8964260 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.768614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mentalization-based family therapy and family rehabilitation represent a rich variety of approaches for assisting families with difficult interaction patterns. On the other hand, adventure therapy methods have been successfully used with families to offer them empowering experiences of succeeding together against difficult odds and to improve communication between family members. Further, the health promoting qualities of spending time outdoors are now well established and recognized. The Nordic approach to mentalization-based family rehabilitation combines adventure, outdoor, and systemic therapy. We provide three examples of nature-based family rehabilitation practices that are delivered as brief, multi-family psychological interventions taking place in nearby nature and aiming to support sustainable, systemic change. The current contribution is a description of clinical practice, not a systematic review or a formal evaluation. We propose that recontextualizing mentalization-based family rehabilitation to the outdoors can not only provide added health benefits, but also strengthen intra-familial attuned interaction and emotional connectedness. The outdoor adventure provides the families with embodied, multisensory experiences of verbal and, especially, non-verbal interaction that can be usefully examined through the lens of theory of mentalization. The concreteness of adventure experiences is particularly beneficial for families that have difficulties in verbal communication and/or utilizing executive functions, perhaps due to neuropsychiatric traits, intellectual disabilities, or learning difficulties. Furthermore, outdoor adventure can support the participants’ connectedness to nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Mattsson
- The Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Children and Young People, The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, Turku, Finland
| | - Carina Ribe Fernee
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Sørlandet Hospital HE, Kristiansand, Norway
- Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
- *Correspondence: Carina Ribe Fernee,
| | - Kanerva Pärnänen
- The Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Children and Young People, The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, Turku, Finland
- Department of Education, Faculty of Education, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Pekka Lyytinen
- The Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Children and Young People, The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, Turku, Finland
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147
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Borilli MC, Germano CMR, de Avó LRDS, Pilotto RF, Melo DG. Family quality of life among families who have children with mild intellectual disability associated with mild autism spectrum disorder. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2022; 80:360-367. [PMID: 35293554 DOI: 10.1590/0004-282x-anp-2020-0537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often concomitant childhood developmental disorders. These disorders can alter family quality of life (FQoL). OBJECTIVE To investigate FQoL among families who have children with mild ID, associated with mild ASD. METHODS Cross-sectional descriptive study with 69 families who have children with mild ID and ASD, ranging from six to 16 years old, and who were provided with disability-related services in Brazil. Data were collected using a family sociodemographic questionnaire, an ID and ASD personal profile form, the Barthel index for activities of daily living and the Beach Center FQoL scale. RESULTS People with ID and ASD had an average score of 88.2±11.5 in the Barthel index, thus indicating moderate dependency in basic activities of daily living. The average total FQoL score (3.56±0.34) was lower than the scores for the "family interaction" (3.91±0.42; p<0.001), "parenting" (3.79±0.35; p<0.001) and "disability-related support" (3.98±0.16; p<0.001) domains; and higher than the scores for the "physical/material well-being" (3.19±0.64; p<0.001) and "emotional wellbeing" (2.75±0.62; p<0.001) domains. Parents' marital condition, monthly family income, family religious practice and effective communication skills among the people with ID and ASD were predictors for FQoL (R2=0.407; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS FQoL was sustained through factors such as family interaction and parents' care for their children. Improving families' emotional wellbeing and physical and material conditions is likely to positively affect the FQoL of these families.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carla Maria Ramos Germano
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, São Carlos SP, Brazil.,Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Departamento de Medicina, São Carlos SP, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Genética Médica Populacional, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil
| | - Lucimar Retto da Silva de Avó
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Departamento de Medicina, São Carlos SP, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Genética Médica Populacional, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil
| | | | - Débora Gusmão Melo
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, São Carlos SP, Brazil.,Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Departamento de Medicina, São Carlos SP, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Genética Médica Populacional, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil
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148
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Salgado-Cacho JM, Moreno-Jiménez MDP, Ríos-Rodríguez ML. Intensive Family Intervention as Support for Professional Treatment: Evolution of Symptoms in a Diagnosed Case of Autism Spectrum Disorder. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:400. [PMID: 35327776 PMCID: PMC8946976 DOI: 10.3390/children9030400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This article shows the progress achieved in a child who has received professional treatment combined with a family intervention at home. It discusses a 22-month-old patient identified as showing warning signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a diagnosis that was subsequently confirmed through a standardized ADOS-2 test at 31 months of age. To establish the initial working objectives, a functional diagnosis was carried out at 23 months of age using the Battelle Developmental Inventory; a maturational delay was detected, situating the child at an age equivalent to 16 months. A professional intervention was designed in an early childhood care center, complemented by family intervention, so that the hours in which the child participated in learning experiences were increased. Notable advances were made in the areas of cognitive and motor skills, with more standard scores than when initially evaluated. Progress was also observed (though to a lesser extent) in other developmental areas such as language total, adaptive behavior, and self-help, while slight delays in the areas of socio-emotional development and reasoning and academic skills were found.
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Affiliation(s)
- José María Salgado-Cacho
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (M.d.P.M.-J.); (M.L.R.-R.)
- Hogar Abierto Foundation, 29001 Málaga, Spain
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149
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The Association between Depression and Perceived Stress among Parents of Autistic and Non-Autistic Children-The Role of Loneliness. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19053019. [PMID: 35270709 PMCID: PMC8910680 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19053019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Having an autistic child significantly impairs the functioning of the family, including the wellbeing of the parents. The aim of this study was to assess whether loneliness mediates the relationship between perceived stress and the severity of depressive symptoms in the studied sample of parents. This cross-sectional study involved 39 parents of autistic children and 45 parents of non-autistic children. They completed a set of tests: a survey on sociodemographic and clinical data and psychometric questionnaires, i.e., Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI), De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS), and Perceived Stress Questionnaire (KPS). A rise in external and intrapsychic stress, independently, was linked to a rise in the severity of depressive symptoms. The severity of depression, loneliness and stress was higher among parents of autistic children compared with parents of non-autistic children. Intrapsychic stress exhibited an indirect effect through loneliness on the worsening of depressive symptoms.
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150
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Papanikolaou K, Ntre V, Gertsou IM, Tagkouli E, Tzavara C, Pehlivanidis A, Kolaitis G. Parenting Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder during Crises: Differential Responses between the Financial and the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11051264. [PMID: 35268354 PMCID: PMC8911193 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11051264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Parenting a child with autism can be particularly stressful and challenging, especially during periods of crises. This study focuses on parenting children with autism during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison to the economic crisis, six years ago. We administered the same set of questionnaires (CES-D, F-COPES, PSI-SF, and WHOQoL-BREF), along with a demographic characteristic and a COVID-19-related questionnaire to the same group of parents of children with autism as we did six years ago. Results indicated that during the COVID-19 crisis, the level of parenting stress and the distress due to personal factors related to demands of parenting, were significantly lower compared to the economic crisis, while the environment facet of quality of life was significantly higher. The depressive symptomatology was elevated during both periods. Finally, when addressing the pandemic crisis, parents were more likely to passively accept problematic issues, less able to obtain social support, and less able to acquire and accept help from others. In our sample, findings differentiate the genre of crises through the parents’ responses regarding the sense of competence in their parental role, their quality of life, and the coping strategies they implemented. The study implies that each crisis must be confronted with particular responses to particular needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Papanikolaou
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (V.N.); (I.-M.G.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (G.K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Vassiliki Ntre
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (V.N.); (I.-M.G.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (G.K.)
| | - Ioanna-Maria Gertsou
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (V.N.); (I.-M.G.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (G.K.)
| | - Evdokia Tagkouli
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (V.N.); (I.-M.G.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (G.K.)
| | - Chara Tzavara
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (V.N.); (I.-M.G.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (G.K.)
| | - Artemios Pehlivanidis
- First Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece;
| | - Gerasimos Kolaitis
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (V.N.); (I.-M.G.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (G.K.)
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