Eating Issues in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
pp. 236-257
Author(s):  
Kirstin Greaves-Lord ◽  
Jeroen Dewinter ◽  
Lennart Pedersen ◽  
Olive Healy ◽  
Mark A. Stokes
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Multidisciplinary Intervention ◽  
Rigorous Evaluation ◽  
Disciplinary Boundaries ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Collaborative Efforts

Clinicians and researchers have long known that many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience challenges around eating (e.g., “picky eating”) that increase risk for negative health sequelae. Nevertheless, as reviewed in this chapter, progress in addressing these challenges has been hampered by disciplinary boundaries, lack of empirical scrutiny of existing interventions, and inconsistency in definition and assessment of eating-related issues. Recent work has begun to overcome these impasses through a greater focus on rigorous evaluation of currently available treatments and the meticulous development of novel and multidisciplinary intervention approaches. Yet, much more work is needed. In addition to the need for consensus on nomenclature and operationalized definitions that directly impact measure development, more work is needed to address the presence and impact of overweight/obesity among people with ASD. Only through cross-disciplinary and collaborative efforts between clinicians and researchers can these obstacles be overcome to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life of people with ASD.

scholarly journals Leisure and Quality of Life among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder – A Review Based Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 176-188
Author(s):  
Menezes Ida Sylvia ◽  
Laveena D’Mello
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Quality Life

Purpose: Owing to the time-consuming job of caring for their child's family and friends, parents of children with autism spectrum disorder risk losing family relationships. The main aim was to identify and intervene in the quality of life of parents, the interventions offered to parents as primary caregivers of children with ASD. To explore parents' perspectives on beneficent for children with autism in connection with formative years, resources, and to confront the consequences of upraising a child with ASD. Design/Methodology/Approach: Systematic literature, resulting in the publication of 27 studies that focused on the living standards of parents of children with ASD. Systematic literature scrutiny was performed using the search words "autism spectrum disorder," ‘primary caregiver/ parents/ mother” and "Quality of life" in the electronic databases Research gate, Academia, Google Scholar, and PsycInfo. Findings/Result: QOL autism-specific assessment tools were limited and hence, most studies have employed a general measure tool to assess the influence of the diagnosed disorder on the physical and psychological well-being of parents/caregivers. Originality/Value: The sequel of this study advocate that to date, the appraisal of quality life in parents of children with ASD into clinical practice has been rationalized by the shortage of autism-specific scales. As generically do not catch all pertinent aspects of living with ASD raising the need for immediate measures. Implementing parental interventions in parallel with the child’s interventions may raise QOL. Paper Type: Systematic literature review.

scholarly journals TEACHING SELF-AWARENESS AND SELF-REGULATION TECHNIQUES TO A CHILD WITH AUTISM SPECTUM DISORDER

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Maria Kontogianni ◽  
Andromachi Nanou
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Self-awareness and self-regulation yoga techniques lead to stress management, reducing anxiety and well-being of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The current study seeks to investigate the degree of the autonomous involvement of an 11-year-old girl with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the self-awareness and self-regulation yoga exercises. The research was designed as an educational intervention. The intervention was applied once a week for 3 months, and took place at the sensory room of “School for all: Tokei Maru” at Include in Thessaloniki. Research diaries and observation protocols, by participant and external observers, were used for data collection before, during and after the intervention. According to the research findings, girl’s degree and quality of involvement improved during the intervention, so that she managed to use specific techniques autonomously. Research findings cannot be generalized, but they are encouraging in developing effective self-awareness and self-regulation programs for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in future research.

scholarly journals KEYme: Multifunctional Smart Toy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 4010
Author(s):  
Raquel Cañete ◽  
Sonia López ◽  
M. Estela Peralta
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Functional Requirements ◽  
Smart Products

The role that design engineering plays in the quality of life and well-being of people with autism spectrum disorder around the world is extremely relevant; products are highly helpful when used as “intermediaries” in social interactions, as well as in the reinforcement of cognitive, motor and sensory skills. One of the most significant challenges engineers have to face lies in the complexity of defining those functional requirements of objects that will efficiently satisfy the specific needs of children with autism within a single product. Furthermore, despite the growing trends that point toward the integration of new technologies in the creation of toys for typically developing children, the variety of specialized smart products aimed at children with autism spectrum disorder is very limited. Based on this evidence the KEYme project was created, where a multifunctional smart toy is developed as a reinforcement system for multiple needs which is adaptable to different kinds of autism for therapies, educational centers or family environments. This approach involves the knowledge transfer from the latest neuroscience, medicine and psychology contributions to the engineering and industrial design field.

Quality of life of high-functioning children and youth with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing peers: Self- and proxy-reports

Autism ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snæfrídur T Egilson ◽  
Linda B Ólafsdóttir ◽  
Thóra Leósdóttir ◽  
Evald Saemundsen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
High Functioning ◽  
Proxy Reports

Studies have shown parents to report lower quality of life for their children with autism spectrum disorder than children’s self-report scores and the same applies for data on typically developing children. Our objectives were to: (1) explore how high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder rate their quality of life compared with paired controls without autism spectrum disorder; (2) explore how parents of high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder rate their children’s quality of life compared with parents of paired controls; and (3) compare child self-reports of quality of life with their parent’s proxy-reports for both groups of children. Data were collected with the Icelandic self- and proxy-reported versions of the KIDSCREEN-27. Reports of 96 children with autism spectrum disorder, 211 controls and their parents were included in the analyses. Compared with controls, children with autism spectrum disorder had lower means on all quality of life dimensions. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder evaluated their children’s quality of life lower on all dimensions than did parents of controls. On four out of five dimensions, children with autism spectrum disorder reported better quality of life than did their parents. Despite differences in ratings children with autism spectrum disorder and their parents agreed on the most problematic dimensions, namely, social support and peers and physical well-being. Our results highlight the importance of seeking the viewpoints of both children and their parents.

Quality of Life in Families of Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 124 (6) ◽  
pp. 535-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Mello ◽  
Mélina Rivard ◽  
Amélie Terroux ◽  
Céline Mercier
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Family Characteristics ◽  
Young Children With Autism

Abstract The present study investigated family quality of life (FQOL) as experienced by 493 mothers and fathers (295 families) of young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prior to receiving early intervention services in the province of Québec. These families were most satisfied with their physical and material well-being and least satisfied with their family interactions. Children's level of functioning across various standardized and subjective measures were positively associated with parents' FQOL. In both parents, family characteristics associated with financial and personal resources were also linked to FQOL. The child's age and the number of children were associated with mothers' FQOL. Overall, these findings provide a portrait of ASD-related stressors and resources relevant to both parents during the early childhood period.

scholarly journals Parent-observed thematic data on quality of life in children with autism spectrum disorder

Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Epstein ◽  
Andrew Whitehouse ◽  
Katrina Williams ◽  
Nada Murphy ◽  
Helen Leonard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Life Measure ◽  
Parent Observations ◽  
Theory Framework

Domains of quality of life in children with autism spectrum disorder have not previously been explored and there has been no quality of life measure developed for this population. Our study investigated parent observations to identify the domains important to children with autism spectrum disorder who also had an intellectual disability. In all, 21 parents (19 mothers, 2 fathers) of children with autism spectrum disorder (aged 6–17 years) participated in a qualitative study to discuss their child’s quality of life. Thematic analysis using a grounded theory framework was conducted and 10 domains emerged in relation to health and well-being, capacity to perform and develop skills in daily life, and connections with the community and environment. Unique aspects of quality of life included varying levels of social desire, consistency of routines, and time spent in nature and the outdoors, which are not comprehensively captured in existing measures. Parent observations provide an initial framework for understanding quality of life in autism spectrum disorder and support the development of a new measure for this population.

Development and Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess Parent Reported Quality of Life Pre and Post Vision Therapy in a Population with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2019 ◽  
pp. 195-207
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Behavior ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Visual Behavior ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Vision Therapy

Background: Autism spectrum disorder is characterized in part by atypical behavior in the communication, social, and visual domains. Success in vision therapy is judged not only by changes in optometric findings, but through improvement in quality of life involving communication, social behavior and visual behavior. It would therefore be beneficial to have a validated questionnaire to assess parent reported quality of life pre and post vision therapy specific to patients with autism spectrum disorder. To our knowledge, a questionnaire of this nature has not been previously published in the literature. Methods: Questionnaire items were generated through surveying medical literature based on symptoms in three different categories: visual behavior, social behavior and communication. A pool of 34 questions was developed initially and then with thorough discussion with other experts, a 20-point questionnaire was developed with each item reflected in the construct concept. A draft of 20 questions was then sent to 10 subject experts with clinical experience in the field for more than 20 years, to review the pooled items. Validity and reliability was established prior to assessing the psychometric properties of the ASD/QOL-VT. Prospective observational study was conducted for a duration of 18 months. The study included individuals undergoing vision therapy in the age range of 3 to 15 years who had been diagnosed with ASD. The questionnaire was administered to parents of these children prior to the start of vision therapy. All subjects completed a minimum of 60 vision therapy sessions. The questionnaire was readministered after completing 60 sessions of vision therapy. Results: Cronbach’s alpha value for this questionnaire was 0.93, which reflected very good internal consistency. Factorial analysis yielded four factors with an Eigen value exceeding 1.0 which accounted for 68% variation in the model. The Cronbach alpha value for subscales identified by factorial analysis is 0.97 indicating excellent internal reliability. The mean pre vision therapy social behavior, communication and visual behavior score was 12.0±3.21, 17.07±4.57 and 26.97±6.41 respectively. The mean post vision therapy scores for social behavior, communication and visual behavior was 8.27±4.16, 11.33±5.27 and 17.93±6.52 respectively. On paired t test, the mean difference in score was statistically significant with P<0.001 in all three subcategories. Conclusions: Our study presents the development of a valid and reliable parent questionnaire, the ASD/QOL-VT, that judges communication, social behavior, and visual behavior in autism. Results of the study conducted indicate that vision therapy can result in significant improvements in the quality of life of patients with ASD as judged by their parents. This is evidenced by statistically significant changes in psychometric properties of the ASD/QOL-VT in social behavior, communication and visual behavior.

Mental health correlates and potential childhood predictors for the wish to be of the opposite sex in young autistic adults

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110240
Author(s):  
Jung-Chi Chang ◽  
Meng-Chuan Lai ◽  
Yueh-Ming Tai ◽  
Susan Shur-Fen Gau
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Item Endorsement ◽  
Opposite Sex ◽  
Autistic Adults

Cross-sectional research has demonstrated the overrepresentation of gender dysphoria in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder. However, the predictors and underlying mechanisms of this co-occurrence remain unclear. This follow-up study aimed to explore baseline (childhood/adolescence) predictors for the follow-up (adulthood) self-reported wish to be of the opposite sex and to investigate its mental health correlates in a sample of 88 autistic individuals as compared with 42 typically developing controls. An item on the Adult Self-Report Inventory-4, “I wish I was the opposite sex,” was used. We compared mental health symptoms between adults with and without this item endorsement. We used prediction models to explore family and autism-related predictors in childhood/adolescence to endorse this item in adulthood. There were more adults endorsing the item in the autism spectrum disorder group compared with the typically developing group. Autistic adults who endorsed the item experienced more mental health challenges, more bullying victimization, more suicidal ideations, and worse quality of life. Lower parent-reported family support and more stereotyped/repetitive behaviors during childhood/adolescence predicted the self-reported wish to be of the opposite sex in adulthood in autistic individuals. It is necessary to raise more attention to gender development and related mental health impact in autistic individuals. Lay abstract Autistic people/people with autism spectrum disorder are more likely to experience gender dysphoria. However, the possible longitudinal predictors and underlying mechanisms of this co-occurrence are unclear. To fill this knowledge gap, we assessed 88 people with autism spectrum disorder and 42 typically developing individuals at their average ages of 13.0 (baseline, childhood/adolescence) and 20.2 years old (follow-up, adulthood). At follow-up, their endorsement on the item “I wish I was the opposite sex” was used to evaluate gender dysphoric symptoms. We compared mental health symptoms between adults with and without this item endorsement at the follow-up assessment. We explored parent-reported family and autism characteristics-related predictors in childhood/adolescence to this item endorsement in adulthood. We found that more autistic adults reported the wish to be of the opposite sex than did typically developing individuals. Autistic adults who endorsed this item experienced more mental health challenges, more school bullying and cyberbullying, more suicidal ideation, and worse quality of life. Moreover, parent-reported lower family support and more stereotyped/repetitive behaviors during childhood/adolescence predicted the self-reported wish to be of the opposite sex in adulthood in autistic individuals. More attention and support should be provided to autistic people regarding gender development and related mental health and quality of life impact, especially during the transition period to young adulthood.

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