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Su WC, Cleffi C, Srinivasan S, Bhat A. Telehealth Versus Face-to-Face Fine Motor and Social Communication Interventions for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Efficacy, Fidelity, Acceptability, and Feasibility. Am J Occup Ther 2023; 77:7706205130. [PMID: 38048263 PMCID: PMC10846418 DOI: 10.5014/ajot.2023.050282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The efficacy of telehealth (TH) interventions needs to be studied. OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy, fidelity, acceptability, and feasibility of face-to-face (F2F) versus TH seated play (SP) interventions among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). DESIGN As part of a larger randomized controlled trial, children were assigned to the SP group and received TH and F2F interventions over 8 wk using a pretest-posttest study design. SETTING A research lab or through videoconferencing. PARTICIPANTS Fifteen children with ASD (ages 5-14 yr) were randomly assigned to the SP group and received the intervention F2F or through TH. INTERVENTION Children received 16 SP intervention sessions (2 sessions per week for 8 wk). OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Pretests and posttests included standardized fine motor assessments. Video coding compared socially directed verbalization during training sessions. Parents and trainers provided feedback on their experiences. RESULTS Seven children received the intervention F2F, whereas 8 received TH intervention. Children in both subgroups showed similar training improvements in fine motor skills and socially directed verbalizations (ps > .01). Parents rated both interventions as acceptable and feasible; however, they reported longer preparation time and effort during TH interventions (ps < .01). Trainers reported greater parental involvement but more communication and technological issues during TH interventions. Fidelity checks indicated fewer reinforcements during TH versus F2F sessions. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE TH intervention is feasible and effective in improving fine motor and social communication performance. Clinicians should reduce parental burden and overcome technological issues. What This Article Adds: This study confirmed the efficacy, fidelity, acceptability, and feasibility of delivering seated play, standard of care interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder via telehealth. However, clinicians should work on reducing parental burden and overcoming communication and technological issues related to telehealth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Chun Su
- Wan-Chun Su, PhD, MS, PT, is Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Corina Cleffi
- Corina Cleffi, BS, is Graduate Student, Department of Physical Therapy and Biomechanics and Movement Science Program, University of Delaware, Newark
| | - Sudha Srinivasan
- Sudha Srinivasan, PhD, MS, PT, is Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy Program, Department of Kinesiology; Institute for Health, Intervention, and Policy; and Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs
| | - Anjana Bhat
- Anjana Bhat, MS, PhD, PT, is Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Biomechanics and Movement Science Program, and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark;
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Adams L, Adamo N, Hollocks MJ, Watson J, Brewster A, Valmaggia L, Jewitt E, Edwards J, Krisson M, Simonoff E. Autistic young people's experiences of remote psychological interventions during COVID-19. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2023; 27:1616-1627. [PMID: 36645009 PMCID: PMC9845848 DOI: 10.1177/13623613221142730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Recently, therapy has been delivered at a distance (i.e. remotely) to help control the spread of coronavirus. Clinicians have voiced concerns that remote delivery is unsuitable for certain individuals, including those who are autistic, but they have also highlighted potential benefits for autistic individuals. Benefits include some individuals feeling more comfortable receiving therapy at home. This is the first study to interview autistic individuals about their experience of remote therapy. Participants were six young people aged 15-18 years and eight clinicians. Participants described their experience of remote delivery, including challenges, benefits, and suggestions. Most of these supported previous research findings, but some were new or provided further insight into those already identified. A newly identified challenge was knowing online social etiquette. All participants found aspects of the experience challenging, but all identified benefits and most voiced that remote sessions should be offered to young people. Participants further identified individual characteristics that may make someone less suited to remote delivery (e.g. shyness). They also identified ways of making the experience of remote delivery easier (e.g. sitting with a pet). Young people's and clinicians' views were similar overall, with only subtle differences. For example, young people uniquely voiced that remote delivery was similar to in-person, that benefits were hard to identify, and provided distinct reasons for the social interaction feeling less intense remotely. Findings may be used to improve remote delivery, for guiding future research, and as a case for continuing to offer it to those who may most benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Adams
- King’s College London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Nicoletta Adamo
- King’s College London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Matthew J Hollocks
- King’s College London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | | | | | - Lucia Valmaggia
- King’s College London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Emma Jewitt
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | | | | | - Emily Simonoff
- King’s College London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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Kane CL, DeBar RM. A Descriptive Review of Telehealth for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Behav Modif 2023; 47:504-546. [PMID: 36113035 DOI: 10.1177/01454455221121085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Since the early 2000s, telehealth has been used to provide behavior analytic intervention to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Evaluating evidence supporting telehealth remains valuable, especially as there has been increased accessibility since the COVID-19 pandemic. Although there is empirical support for telehealth as an effective service-delivery option, important variables (e.g., costs, implementer training) remain unknown. Despite potential roles in telehealth service-delivery models, a careful review of participant prerequisite skills, implementer characteristics (e.g., experience, education), technology variables (e.g., HIPAA compliance), and skill(s) targeted (i.e., mastered or untrained skills) have not been considered. Therefore, we aimed to extend prior telehealth literature reviews by evaluating current research across variables important for telehealth service-delivery involving individuals with ASD. We found thorough descriptions of participants and implementers, implementer training, and social validity evaluations. Limitations of telehealth literature include exclusion of teen and adult participants, limited description of prerequisite skills and evaluations of direct telehealth interventions. Future research areas were identified.
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Knopp K, Ferguson JL, Piazza J, Weiss MJ, Lee M, Cihon JH, Leaf JB. A Comparison Between Direct Telehealth and In-Person Methods of Teaching Expressive Labels to Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Behav Modif 2023; 47:432-453. [PMID: 36258670 DOI: 10.1177/01454455221130000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent behavior analytic research has demonstrated that the provision of applied behavior analytic services via direct telehealth can be an effective teaching modality for some learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Historically, teaching procedures based on applied behavior analysis (ABA), including discrete trial teaching (DTT), have been provided and evaluated via in-person delivery. This study sought to compare the implementation of DTT via direct telehealth to DTT implemented in-person within and across participants. Specifically, this study evaluated the two delivery modalities in terms of skill acquisition, maintenance, efficiency, and learner responding during teaching sessions. Results of an adapted alternating treatments design nested into a multiple baseline design demonstrated that all three participants diagnosed with ASD met the mastery criteria for the expressive labels taught. Areas of future research, participant prerequisite skills, and clinical implications will be discussed in the context of these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kandice Knopp
- Endicott College, Beverly, MA, USA.,Autism Partnership Foundation, Seal Beach, CA, USA
| | - Julia L Ferguson
- Endicott College, Beverly, MA, USA.,Autism Partnership Foundation, Seal Beach, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Matthew Lee
- Autism Partnership Foundation, Seal Beach, CA, USA
| | - Joseph H Cihon
- Endicott College, Beverly, MA, USA.,Autism Partnership Foundation, Seal Beach, CA, USA
| | - Justin B Leaf
- Endicott College, Beverly, MA, USA.,Autism Partnership Foundation, Seal Beach, CA, USA
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5
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Adler EJ, Schiltz HK, Glad DM, Lehman SA, Pardej SK, Stanley RE, Van Hecke AV. Brief Report: A Pilot Study Examining the Effects of PEERS® for Adolescents Telehealth for Autistic Adolescents. J Autism Dev Disord 2022; 52:5491-5499. [PMID: 35870099 PMCID: PMC9308371 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05666-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic sparked a worldwide transition to providing online services overnight, highlighting the urgent need for empirically supported telehealth interventions. The current study examined the effects of PEERS® for Adolescents Telehealth, an adaptation from the original social skills intervention developed for in-person provision, among 22 autistic adolescents and their caregivers. To evaluate the intervention, caregivers completed questionnaires assessing core autistic features and frequency of get-togethers. Adolescents completed questionnaires measuring social knowledge and frequency of get-togethers. Improvements in social skills knowledge, increased get-togethers, and decreased core autistic symptoms were evident. Preliminary results suggest PEERS® for Adolescents Telehealth improves social competence, as found for the in-person version. Further research exploring the equivalence of telehealth to in-person social skills intervention is recommended.
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Adams L, Adamo N, Hollocks MJ, Valmaggia L, Brewster A, Watson J, Krisson M, Simonoff E. Examining clinicians' concerns delivering telemental health interventions directly to autistic individuals during COVID-19. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2022; 94:101956. [PMID: 35369648 PMCID: PMC8963796 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2022.101956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the adoption of telemental health (TMH). Pre-pandemic, clinicians had voiced many TMH concerns, but these had not been investigated with respect to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) even with it being known that there are distinct ASD-associated challenges for in-person mental health interventions. METHOD A convenience sample of (n = 55) clinicians completed an online survey regarding their perspectives of adopting TMH interventions in ASD, with closed- and open-answered questions. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed descriptively/inferentially and via Content Analysis, respectively. RESULTS Multiple clinicians endorsed each TMH challenges/barrier previously identified as concerns in the non-ASD literature. However, overall levels of concern over challenges/barriers were low, and challenges were more likely to be predicted than experienced and considered to be case/presentation specific. Challenges that were considered ASD-specific included the exacerbation of those associated with in-person delivery in ASD, alongside difficulties with trust and appropriate remote social behaviour. On average, clinicians indicated a preference for 50% TMH interventions post-pandemic. Clinicians' perceived technological competence and extent of professional experience with ASD were not significantly associated with levels of concern, nor number of experienced challenges, with TMH interventions in ASD. CONCLUSION In support of the existing TMH literature, challenges/barriers were more likely to be predicted than experienced and were considered to be case/presentation-specific, though this may be more variable in ASD owing to the well-established marked heterogeneity in this population. Remote provision of interventions exacerbated in-person ASD-associated challenges, as predicted, but clinician-level factors appeared not to impact TMH perceptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Adams
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Service for Complex Autism and Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Maudsley Hospital, Michael Rutter Centre, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AZ, UK
| | - Nicoletta Adamo
- Service for Complex Autism and Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Maudsley Hospital, Michael Rutter Centre, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AZ, UK
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Matthew J Hollocks
- Service for Complex Autism and Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Maudsley Hospital, Michael Rutter Centre, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AZ, UK
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Lucia Valmaggia
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Aylana Brewster
- Service for Complex Autism and Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Maudsley Hospital, Michael Rutter Centre, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AZ, UK
| | - Jennifer Watson
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Maisie Krisson
- Service for Complex Autism and Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Maudsley Hospital, Michael Rutter Centre, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AZ, UK
| | - Emily Simonoff
- Service for Complex Autism and Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Maudsley Hospital, Michael Rutter Centre, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AZ, UK
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
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Araiba S, Čolić M. Preliminary Practice Recommendations for Telehealth Direct Applied Behavior Analysis Services with Children with Autism. JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL EDUCATION 2022; 32:1-35. [PMID: 35464786 PMCID: PMC9013273 DOI: 10.1007/s10864-022-09473-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This article provides preliminary practice recommendations for telehealth direct applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for children with autism. In the face of COVID-19, there is an immediate need for discussion on how to implement various ABA procedures via telehealth for ABA practitioners. Alongside emerging scientific evidence on the effectiveness of telehealth direct service as well as various service-related guidelines, we provide preliminary practice recommendations that are based on the existing literature on in-person and telehealth ABA procedures. We also discuss these recommendations with case studies of two boys with autism. Social validity measures indicated that families were satisfied with telehealth direct services. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has resolved itself, telehealth direct ABA service will still be a valuable option for remote and international locations where direct ABA service is limited, and thus, practice recommendations continue to be relevant for all practitioners that use telehealth direct service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Araiba
- Positive Behavior Support Corporation, 1645 Ala Wai Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96815 USA
| | - Marija Čolić
- Special Education Department, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI USA
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Kreysa H, Schneider D, Kowallik AE, Dastgheib SS, Doğdu C, Kühn G, Ruttloff JM, Schweinberger SR. Psychosocial and Behavioral Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children and Adolescents with Autism and Their Families: Overview of the Literature and Initial Data from a Multinational Online Survey. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10040714. [PMID: 35455891 PMCID: PMC9028372 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10040714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Since COVID-19 has become a pandemic, everyday life has seen dramatic changes affecting individuals, families, and children with and without autism. Among other things, these changes entail more time at home, digital forms of communication, school closures, and reduced support and intervention. Here, we assess the effects of the pandemic on quality of life for school-age autistic and neurotypical children and adolescents. First, we provide a comprehensive review of the current relevant literature. Next, we report original data from a survey conducted in several countries, assessing activities, well-being, and social life in families with autism, and their changes over time. We focus on differences between children with and without autism from within the same families, and on different outcomes for children with high- or low-functioning autism. While individuals with autism scored lower in emotional and social functioning than their neurotypical siblings, both groups of children showed comparable decreases in well-being and increases in anxiety, compared to before the pandemic. By contrast, decreases in adaptability were significantly more pronounced in autistic children and adolescents compared to neurotypical children and adolescents. Overall, although individual families reported some positive effects of pandemic restrictions, our data provide no evidence that these generalize across children and adolescents with autism, or even just to individuals with high-functioning autism. We discuss the increased challenges that need to be addressed to protect children and adolescents’ well-being under pandemic conditions, but also point out potentials in the present situation that could be used towards social participation and success in older children and young adults with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene Kreysa
- Social Potential in Autism Research Unit & Department of General Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.E.K.); (S.S.D.); (J.M.R.)
- Correspondence: (H.K.); (S.R.S.)
| | - Dana Schneider
- Social Potential in Autism Research Unit & Department of Social Psychology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (D.S.); (C.D.)
- DFG Scientific Network “Understanding Others”, SCHN 1481/2-1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Erika Kowallik
- Social Potential in Autism Research Unit & Department of General Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.E.K.); (S.S.D.); (J.M.R.)
- Early Support and Counseling Center Jena, Herbert Feuchte Stiftungsverbund, 07743 Jena, Germany;
- Department of Psychiatry, Jena University Hospital, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Samaneh Sadat Dastgheib
- Social Potential in Autism Research Unit & Department of General Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.E.K.); (S.S.D.); (J.M.R.)
| | - Cem Doğdu
- Social Potential in Autism Research Unit & Department of Social Psychology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (D.S.); (C.D.)
| | - Gabriele Kühn
- Early Support and Counseling Center Jena, Herbert Feuchte Stiftungsverbund, 07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Jenny Marianne Ruttloff
- Social Potential in Autism Research Unit & Department of General Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.E.K.); (S.S.D.); (J.M.R.)
| | - Stefan R. Schweinberger
- Social Potential in Autism Research Unit & Department of General Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.E.K.); (S.S.D.); (J.M.R.)
- Correspondence: (H.K.); (S.R.S.)
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9
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Clinician Delivery of Virtual Pivotal Response Treatment with Children with Autism during the COVID-19 Pandemic. SOCIAL SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/socsci10110414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This concept paper describes how the evidence-based Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) model of autism treatment was adapted for delivery via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple features of existing video conference technology were utilized for implementation of PRT motivational strategies with young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). PRT is an empirically supported treatment for ASD which can be taught to parents and delivered directly by trained therapists. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the majority of clinical care for children with ASD had to be transitioned to telehealth delivery, models for parent training had been previously established. However, no model for direct clinician delivery of virtual PRT existed. This manuscript outlines practical details of the model developed by our team and provided to a total of 17 families between April 2020 and May 2021. Key lessons from technological adaptations of the PRT motivational strategies are described in order to inform future empirical investigation of this approach. The virtual PRT delivery model can serve as a guide for engaging children in meaningful social interaction and communication practice via video conference software, with implications for expanding access to autism treatment as well as for motivating a wide range of children in distance learning activities.
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Cihon JH, Ferguson JL, Milne CM, Leaf JB. Teaching behavior analysts to create multiple baseline graphs using SigmaPlot. BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/bin.1833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph H. Cihon
- Autism Partnership Foundation Seal Beach California USA
- Institute for Behavioral Studies Endicott College Beverly Massachusetts USA
| | - Julia L. Ferguson
- Autism Partnership Foundation Seal Beach California USA
- Institute for Behavioral Studies Endicott College Beverly Massachusetts USA
| | - Christine M. Milne
- Autism Partnership Foundation Seal Beach California USA
- Institute for Behavioral Studies Endicott College Beverly Massachusetts USA
| | - Justin B. Leaf
- Autism Partnership Foundation Seal Beach California USA
- Institute for Behavioral Studies Endicott College Beverly Massachusetts USA
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Ellison KS, Guidry J, Picou P, Adenuga P, Davis TE. Telehealth and Autism Prior to and in the Age of COVID-19: A Systematic and Critical Review of the Last Decade. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2021; 24:599-630. [PMID: 34114135 PMCID: PMC8191715 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-021-00358-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
There has been growing interest in the use of telehealth; however, the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent isolation and restrictions placed on in-person services have fast-tracked implementation needs for these services. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been particularly affected due to the often-intensive service needs required by this population. As a result, the aim of this review was to examine the evidence base, methodology, and outcomes of studies that have used telehealth for assessment and/or intervention with children and adolescents with ASD as well as their families over the last decade. Further, the goal is to highlight the advances in telehealth and its use with this special population. A systematic search of the literature was undertaken, with 55 studies meeting inclusion criteria and quality analysis. Specified details were extracted from each article, including participant characteristics, technology, measures, methodology/study design, and clinical and implementation outcomes. Services provided via telehealth included diagnostic assessments, preference assessments, early intervention, applied behavior analysis (ABA), functional assessment and functional communication training, and parent training. Findings, although still emerging, encouragingly suggested that services via telehealth were equivalent or better to services face-to-face. Results support the benefits to using telehealth with individuals with ASD. Future research should continue to explore the feasibility of both assessments and interventions via telehealth with those having ASD to make access to assessment services and interventions more feasible for families, while acknowledging the digital divide it could create.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly S Ellison
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, 236 Audubon Hall, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Jerrica Guidry
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, 236 Audubon Hall, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Paige Picou
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, 236 Audubon Hall, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Paige Adenuga
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, 236 Audubon Hall, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Thompson E Davis
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, 236 Audubon Hall, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.
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