Parent Perspectives on Sources of Information About Autism Spectrum Disorder Interventions in Australia

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Carlon ◽  
Jennifer Stephenson ◽  
Mark Carter
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Parent Ratings ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Preschool Age Children ◽  
Firsthand Experience ◽  
Insight Into

Extant research on sources of information about interventions used by parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has provided a general overview of sources used. However, it has provided little insight into why parents view certain sources as reliable or trustworthy, or how useful parents found the information provided to them by the sources and why. This paper provides a qualitative analysis of interviews conducted with 12 Australian parents of preschool-age children with ASD. Participants discussed the factors related to their perceptions of the reliability and trustworthiness of sources used, as well as the usefulness of the information provided. Parent ratings of the reliability of sources were influenced by factors including the firsthand experience of other parents, the parent's relationship with the source, and their beliefs about the sources’ intentions. A number of parents reported that sources provided either information of limited use or an overwhelming amount of information. Considerable variation was reported in the usefulness of information provided to parents. Recommendations regarding research and practice are offered.

Hair Cortisol and Self-Injurious Behavior Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-166
Author(s):  
Andrea B. Courtemanche ◽  
William R. Black ◽  
Jerrold S. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Problem Behavior ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Parent Ratings ◽  
Hair Cortisol ◽  
Hpa Axis Activity ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Elevated salivary cortisol levels have been documented in individuals who engage in self-injurious behavior (SIB), indicating acute physiological stress. Less is known about the chronicity of stress and SIB. We analyzed the relationship between parent ratings of problem behavior and hair cortisol concentrations (an index of chronic adrenocortical activity) in 23 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parent ratings of problem behavior were not significantly correlated with hair cortisol concentrations. When children were categorized into groups based on the frequency and severity of SIB, participants with the greatest frequency and severity of SIB had higher hair cortisol concentrations compared to children without SIB. Frequent and severe SIB may be associated with altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity in children with ASD.

Attributions, causal beliefs, and help-seeking behavior of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and sleep problems

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1829-1840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie McLay ◽  
Sarah G Hansen ◽  
Amarie Carnett ◽  
Karyn G France ◽  
Neville M Blampied
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sources Of Information

Sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder are prevalent and persistent but also treatable. Little is known about how and why parents of such children seek help for sleep disturbance. Via an online survey ( n = 244 respondents), we gathered information about parents’ attributions about children’s sleep problems and beliefs about causes and on sources of information about, and their decisions regarding, help-seeking. Eighty-two percent of parents reported seeking some kind of help for their child’s sleep disturbance, and the average parent had tried six different treatment strategies, most commonly medical. Alignment of parents’ treatment choices with empirical evidence about treatment efficacy was poor, but belief in effectiveness was closely related to frequency of use of a treatment. In a Principal Components Analysis, parental attributions loaded on two factors: one which suggests the sleep problems are viewed as intrinsic to autism and stable (factor one) and the other as located within the child, stable, and treatment resistant (factor two). These findings have important implications for parental education and clinical practice in the treatment of sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder. Lay abstract Sleep problems are commonly reported among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Without effective treatment, such problems are unlikely to resolve. To date, we know very little about how and why parents of children with ASD seek help for sleep disturbance. Via an online survey, we gathered information about how parents make sense of their children’s sleep problems, beliefs about their causes, sources of information, and help-seeking behavior. The analysis of responses from 244 parents revealed that parents commonly view sleep problems (a) as a consequence of their child’s ASD, and unlikely to change over time (stable), and (b) as located within the child (intrinsic), stable over time, and difficult to treat. Despite this, parents also rated sleep problems as being important to treat. Eighty-two percent of parents surveyed reported seeking some kind of help for their child’s sleep disturbance, and the average parent had tried six different treatment strategies, most commonly medical approaches (e.g. melatonin). The alignment between parents’ treatment choices and those strategies that are supported by research was poor, but belief in the effectiveness of treatments was closely related to how often the treatment was used. These findings have important implications for parental education and clinical practice in the treatment of sleep problems in children with ASD.

scholarly journals Early Numerical Competencies in 4- and 5-Year-Old Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 279-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisy Titeca ◽  
Herbert Roeyers ◽  
Annemie Desoete
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Family Impact ◽  
Magnitude Comparison ◽  
Positive Message ◽  
Mathematics Development

Studies comparing mathematical abilities of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing children are hitherto scarce, inconclusive, and mainly focusing on elementary school children or adolescents. The present study wants to gain insight into the foundation of mathematics by looking at preschool performances. Five early numerical competencies known to be important for mathematical development were examined: verbal subitizing, counting, magnitude comparison, estimation, and arithmetic operations. These competencies were studied in 20 high-functioning children with ASD and 20 age-matched control children aged 4 and 5 years. Our data revealed similar early number processing in children with and without ASD at preschool age, meaning that both groups did not differ on the foundation of mathematics development. Given the pervasiveness and the family impact of the condition of ASD, this is an important positive message for parents and preschool teachers. Implications and several directions for future research are proposed.

Brain morphometry of preschool age children affected by autism spectrum disorder: Correlation with clinical findings

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lucibello ◽  
T. Verdolotti ◽  
F. M. Giordano ◽  
L. Lapenta ◽  
A. Infante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Brain Morphometry ◽  
Preschool Age Children

scholarly journals Informational support for families of children with autism spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisele Weissheimer ◽  
Verônica de Azevedo Mazza ◽  
Cibelly Aliny Siqueira Lima Freitas ◽  
Silvana Rodrigues da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Care Process ◽  
Informational Support ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Categorical Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Data Analysis Software

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the sources of informational support used by families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Method: Qualitative and descriptive research carried out in three health institutions and three teaching institutions in Paraná, Ceará and Amapá. 55 family members participated who responded to semi-structured interviews, between September 2018 and 2019. Thematic categorical analysis and the resources of Qualitative Data Analysis Software were used. Results: Families find informational support from several sources, both formal and informal, such as the internet and other sources (books, Workshops, courses, television). Conclusion: Families use different sources of information, however, often incomplete and contradictory, which can generate a new demand on health professionals, in order to integrate access to information in the health care process, since they must be considering benefits and weaknesses that this represents for society.

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