scholarly journals A wearable heart rate measurement device for children with autism spectrum disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Fioriello ◽  
Andrea Maugeri ◽  
Livio D’Alvia ◽  
Erika Pittella ◽  
Emanuele Piuzzi ◽  
...  

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by early impairment in social and communication domains and autonomic nervous system unbalance. This study evaluated heart rate (HR) as a possible indicator of stress response in children with ASD as compared to children with language disorder (LD). Twenty-four patients [mean age = 42.62 months; SD = 8.14 months,12 with ASD (10 M/2F) and 12 with LD (8 M/4F)] underwent clinical [Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, second edition (ADOS-2)] and physiological evaluation (HR monitoring) during five interactive activities, while wearing an HR measurement device. IQ (ASD:IQ = 103.33 ± 12.85 vs. LD:IQ = 111.00 ± 8.88, p = 0.103) and fluid reasoning on the Leiter-R Scale were within the normal range in all subjects. Increased HR during the third activity (ADOS-2 bubble play) significantly correlated with autistic symptoms (r = 0.415; p = 0.044), while correlations between ADOS-2 total score and HR during the first activity (ADOS-2 free play; r = 0.368; p = 0.077), second activity (Leiter-R figure ground subscale; r = 0.373, p = 0.073), and fifth activity (ADOS-2 anticipation of a routine with objects; r = 0.368; p = 0.076) did not quite reach statistical significance. Applying a linear regression model, we found that the ADOS-2 total score significantly influenced HR variations (p = 0.023). HR monitoring may provide a better understanding of the stress-provoking situations for children with ASD. Furthermore, it could help clinicians detect the impact of the stressful condition on the autistic core and adress treatment strategy.

Author(s):  
Mizuho Takayanagi ◽  
Yoko Kawasaki ◽  
Mieko Shinomiya ◽  
Hoshino Hiroshi ◽  
Satoshi Okada ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study was a systematic review of research using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to examine cognitive characteristics of children with ASD beyond the impact of revisions based on WISC and diagnostic criteria changes. The classic “islets of ability” was found in individuals with full-scale IQs < 100. The “right-descending profiles” were observed among high IQ score individuals. High levels on the Block Design and low Coding levels were consistently found regardless of the variation in intellectual functioning or diagnosis. This review identified patterns of cognitive characteristics in ASD individuals using empirical data that researchers may have previously been aware of, based on their experiences, owing to the increased prevalence of ASD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 1232-1238
Author(s):  
Annette E. Richard ◽  
Elise K. Hodges ◽  
Martha D. Carlson

Early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has focused on differentiating children with ASD from neurotypical children. However, many children presenting with concern for ASD are ultimately diagnosed with language disorder (LD). This study aimed to identify differences in parent-rated development and behavior among children ages 2 to 5 years presenting with concern for ASD who were diagnosed with either ASD or LD. Children with ASD were rated as more socially withdrawn and more delayed in social development and self-help skills than those with LD. Parent-rated developmental delays were positively correlated with scores on an autism screening measure and with social withdrawal and pervasive developmental problems among children with ASD. Among those with LD, parent-rated social and self-help development were positively correlated with social withdrawal and attention problems. Thus, parent ratings of social withdrawal and development of social and self-help skills may facilitate differential diagnosis of ASD and LD in children ages 2 to 5 years.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping-Chen Chan ◽  
Cheng-Te Chen ◽  
Hua Feng ◽  
Ya-Chen Lee ◽  
Kuan-Lin Chen

Objective/Background This study aimed to examine the relationships of theory of mind (ToM) to both pretend play and playfulness in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods Twenty children with ASD aged between 3 years and 7.11 years were assessed with the ToM test, and then placed in a free play condition and a pretend play condition to assess pretend play and playfulness with the Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment and Test of Playfulness, respectively. In addition, the children's symptom severities of ASD and verbal abilities were also assessed with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Test—second edition, respectively. Results The results of the regression analysis confirmed that ToM significantly predicted pretend play variables, namely, Number of Object Substitutions (R2 = .158, p = .002) and Number of Imitated Actions (R2 = .175, p = .001), but not playfulness. The CARS score was a significant predictor of the Percentage of Elaborate Pretend Play Actions of pretend play (R2 = .075, p = .034), as well as the internal control (R2 = .125, p = .006) and framing (R2 = .071, p = .039) variables of playfulness. Conclusion The findings support the idea that children with ASD who have better ToM might be able to develop better pretend play, but not better playfulness, which might be more strongly related to their autistic severity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 231
Author(s):  
Allison Gladfelter ◽  
Kacy L. Barron

A local processing bias, often considered a cognitive style unique to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), may influence the types of semantic features acquired by children with ASD and could contribute to weaknesses in word learning. Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) also struggle to learn semantic aspects of words, but this cognitive style has not been ascribed to children with DLD. The purpose of this study was to explore whether global–local processing differences influence the type of semantic features children with ASD, DLD, and their neurotypical peers learn to produce when learning new words. Novel word definitions produced by 36 school-aged children (12 with ASD, 12 with DLD, and 12 with typical language) who participated in an extended word-learning paradigm were used to extract newly learned semantic features. These semantic features were then coded for global and local attributes and analyzed to detect whether there were differences between groups. Results indicated that the children with ASD and DLD produced more global, rather than local, semantic features in their definitions than the children with typical language. An over-reliance on global, rather than local, features in children with ASD and DLD may reflect deficits in depth of word knowledge.


Author(s):  
Jorge Bravo-Benítez ◽  
María Nieves Pérez-Marfil ◽  
Belén Román-Alegre ◽  
Francisco Cruz-Quintana

The main objective of this study was to analyse the experience of grief and feelings of loss in family caregivers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as the perceived overload from taking on the primary caregiver role. Twenty family caregivers of children with ASD participated. The family members were assessed using an ad-hoc semi-structured interview that addressed the families’ reactions to the diagnosis, implications for daily functioning, and concerns for the immediate and long-term future of their relatives with ASD. The results indicate that family caregivers of children with ASD endure intense and continuous sorrow and grief due to the impact that having and caring for a child with these characteristics has on all aspects of their lives. These data highlight the importance of creating support and intervention programmes and services focused on the feelings and manifestations of ambiguous grief that occur in these family members, in order to improve their well-being and quality of life and reduce caregiver role overload.


2021 ◽  
pp. 106648072110050
Author(s):  
Dinie Ratri Desiningrum ◽  
Dewi Retno Suminar ◽  
Endang Retno Surjaningrum ◽  
Suryanto ◽  
Wiwin Hendriani

Purpose: The purpose of the research is to find husband’s social support for mother of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The problem of this study is how the forms of husband’s social support are perceived by mothers of children with ASD, and what are the factors and impacts for mothers perceived about husband’s social support. Method: The research was conducted on family having children with autism aged 5–14 years, employing a qualitative method by interviewing 10 mother participants. Data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results: The analysis resulted in five themes. First, the impact of disability of children with ASD on marriage relationship; second, the role of husband in parenting children with ASD; third, the perception of mother for husband’s social support; fourth, some factors influences to husband social supports; and fifth, the effects of husband’s social support for mother, children with ASD, and family. The discussion and limitations of this study are considered. Applications/Originality/Value: The results of this study are expected to be a reference for scientists, especially in the field of psychology of children with special needs, and can also contribute to the application of science to institutions related to ASD and observers of children with ASD.


CoDAS ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Vasconcelos Rocha Hage ◽  
Lidiane Yumi Sawasaki ◽  
Yvette Hyter ◽  
Fernanda Dreux Miranda Fernandes

ABSTRACT Purpose to assess the pragmatic and social communicative abilities of children with Typical Language Development (TLD), Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD) and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Methods Participants were 40 parents and 29 teachers of 40 children ages between 3 and 6 years. Ten children had DLD, ten had ASD and 20 had typical development. All participants answered to the questionnaire of the “Assessment of Pragmatic Language and Social Communication – APLSC – parent and professional reports – beta research version. Data were submitted to statistical analysis. Results The assessment tool was useful in identifying the difference in performance of children with different social communicative profiles. Conclusion Children with ASD presented social and pragmatic impairments that were more significant than those presented by children with DLD. However, both children with ASD and with DLD presented more social pragmatic difficulties than children with TLD.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
Constance McIntosh ◽  
Jayanthi Kandiah ◽  
Lesie J. Remache

This qualitative study used the nursing grounding theory to describe parents' experiences working with school nurses to elevate their child’s healthcare. Seventeen interviews were conducted with parents/primary caregivers (P/PCG) who had children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; ages six to ten). Through centering parents’ voices, the investigators were able to identify gaps in P/CG understanding of their school nurses’ roles through thematic analyses. We found that P/CG lacked the understanding of school nurses' roles and how school nurses could aid their child’s healthcare. The oversight of school nurses contributed to miscommunication, which constrained the relationship between the parent and the school nurse. These findings provide insight into the importance of enhancing communication between the parents of children with ASD and school nurses and was the catalyst to why this article was written. When healthcare professionals provide clarity and expertise to parents as to their respective roles, incorporate perspective-taking, and tailor their approaches based on their concerns, it may enhance parents’ experiences with their school nurses. In addition, school nurses should consider various routes of engaging parents so they have a deeper understanding of their responsibilities in enhancing the healthcare of children with ASD.


Author(s):  
Robin L. Gabriels ◽  
Julia Barnes

There are well-documented gaps between evidence-based interventions (EBIs) developed and tested in controlled research settings and those delivered in routine, community-based care. The field of implementation science has developed in response to identified gaps to study methods to promote the uptake and sustainment of EBIs in community care. Community mental health (MH) services play an important role in caring for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across the lifespan who have co-occurring psychiatric conditions. This chapter summarizes over a decade of community-engaged research aimed to (a) characterize MH services for children with ASD, including the training needs of therapists and clinical needs of children with ASD receiving care; (b) develop the AIM HI (An Individualized Mental Health Intervention for ASD) intervention, a package of well-established, evidence-based behavioral strategies designed to reduce challenging behaviors in children served in MH service settings; (c) test the impact of training therapists to deliver AIM HI on child outcomes; (d) identify potential influences on implementation; and (e) test the impact of different implementation strategies to enhance therapist delivery of AIM HI. The chapter includes directions for future research including applying the AIM HI development model to older individuals with ASD and other community service systems and integrating implementation science approaches earlier in the pipeline of research-to-practice translation.


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