scholarly journals Lessons learned: What the COVID-19 global pandemic has taught us about teaching, technology, and students with autism spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Roitsch ◽  
Robert L. Moore ◽  
Annemarie L. Horn
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the abrupt transition from attending school face-to-face to participating in online learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as reported by a parent of a student with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Design/methodology/approach A phone interview was conducted with the parent of a child with ASD. The semi-structured interview focused on how the child’s family was impacted when classes shifted to virtual from face-to-face learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings A total of four themes emerged from the interview. Three of these included adjustments to changes in routines and roles, instruction, and social interactions. A final theme involved the benefits and challenges that emerged following the transition to online learning for students with ASD. While we are in an unprecedented time with the COVID-19 global pandemic presenting understandable challenges, opportunities for and examples of effective virtual learning environments for students with ASD were reported in the parent interview and supported by the literature. Practical implications This research provides insight regarding the impact of COVID-19 and highlights elements that should be considered involving technology for students with ASD. Increased awareness regarding the benefits and contraindications of technology while teaching students with ASD can minimize the adverse effects and enhance the positive impact of technology in students with ASD. Originality/value This paper shares the experiences of one parent of a child with ASD and their experiences with technology and learning during COVID-19.

scholarly journals Grief Experiences in Family Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (23) ◽  
pp. 4821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Bravo-Benítez ◽  
María Nieves Pérez-Marfil ◽  
Belén Román-Alegre ◽  
Francisco Cruz-Quintana
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Caregiver Role ◽  
The Impact

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.

Case study: impact of interdisciplinary interventions in a 9-year-old male child with autism spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinita Berry ◽  
Chavi Bhargava Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Main Tool ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Interdisciplinary Interventions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Interdisciplinary Intervention

Purpose This study aims to highlight the need for an interdisciplinary intervention approach to bring noteworthy changes in children with an autism spectrum disorder. It proposes to study how holistic individualized therapeutic plans can promote functionality even in the adolescent age. This study aims to channelize the restricted abilities in a positive manner and make it, a strength for the child. Social-emotional development along with academic goals is also proposed. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on an exploratory study where participant observation was the main tool. Unstructured interviews with the therapists were conducted and the background history was taken. Documents and assessments related to the case were referred. Findings The paper provides empirical insight into the impact of an interdisciplinary intervention on autism spectrum disorder. It suggests that speech therapy, occupational therapy, special education and counseling taken up as a holistic approach and modified as per the needs and competence of the child prove to be effective. It also becomes evident that intervention can help the child to become functional and meaningful even if the intervention is started a little late in life. Consistency and intensity of interventions along with compassion play a very positive role in the life of children with autism. Research limitations/implications As the approach taken describes one case in depth, there is less probability of generalization of results. Therefore, it suggests a wide scope of testing the proposed propositions further. Practical implications This paper includes implications for the children with autism spectrum disorder, who: are not able to get early intervention for some reason and the ones who have special restricted abilities. It also is an inspiration for the service providers to develop comprehensive and interdisciplinary plans of intervention. Social implications This will help parents who somehow miss providing interventions at an early age to be hopeful and to seek help. The results are encouraging so as to make children with autism spectrum disorder more functional and acceptable in their lives. Originality/value This paper worked on the identified needs of children with autism but found that their restricted abilities that are commonly found can be used and channelized positively to become a strength. There is a scope and hope to guide these children toward a functional life where they can connect with others around them and are accepted and included in society. Individualized and interdisciplinary interventions prove to make these children happier and confident.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Improving Adaptive Behavior and Motor Function in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1726
Author(s):  
Leonardo Zoccante ◽  
Michele Marconi ◽  
Marco Luigi Ciceri ◽  
Silvia Gagliardoni ◽  
Luigi Alberto Gozzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Adaptive Behavior ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Parental Distress ◽  
Effective Option ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Equine Assisted

Equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) have been suggested to improve adaptive behavior, and possibly motor function, in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study investigated the effects of EAAT on adaptive behavior and motor function in 15 children with ASD (13 males) aged 7–15 years as well as the impact of EAAT on the magnitude of stress in the parent–child system and the evolution in the child interaction with both the trained therapist and the therapeutic animal through the 20 weekly sessions of EAAT. EAAT were associated with greater adaptive behavior and coordination (all p ≤ 0.01) as well as a progressive improvement in the child’s abilities to respond to the increasing complexity of such form of positive behavioral support (all p < 0.001). However, EAAT did not prove to be effective in reducing parental distress. Collectively, preliminary evidence presented here may have important public health implications and gives reason to hope that EAAT could possibly be an effective option in ASD, warranting further investigation of its potential benefits in clinical trials among larger samples.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on the Adaptive Functioning, Behavioral Problems, and Repetitive Behaviors of Italian Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Observational Study

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Martina Siracusano ◽  
Eugenia Segatori ◽  
Assia Riccioni ◽  
Leonardo Emberti Gialloreti ◽  
Paolo Curatolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Adaptive Functioning ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adaptive Skills ◽  
The Impact

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families have represented a fragile population on which the extreme circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak may have doubly impaired. Interruption of therapeutical interventions delivered in-person and routine disruption constituted some of the main challenges they had to face. This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on adaptive functioning, behavioral problems, and repetitive behaviors of children with ASD. In a sample of 85 Italian ASD children (mean age 7 years old; 68 males, 17 females), through a comparison with a baseline evaluation performed during the months preceding COVID-19, we evaluated whether after the compulsory home confinement any improvement or worsening was reported by parents of ASD individuals using standardized instruments (Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (Second Edition), Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist, Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised). No significant worsening in the adaptive functioning, problematic, and repetitive behaviors emerged after the compulsory home confinement. Within the schooler children, clinical stability was found in reference to both adaptive skills and behavioral aspects, whereas within preschoolers, a significant improvement in adaptive skills emerged and was related to the subsistence of web-delivered intervention, parental work continuance, and online support during the lockdown.

Atypical Head Movement during Face‐to‐Face Interaction in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhong Zhao ◽  
Zhipeng Zhu ◽  
Xiaobin Zhang ◽  
Haiming Tang ◽  
Jiayi Xing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Head Movement ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Face To Face

scholarly journals Review of Cognitive Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Performance on Six Subtests on Four Versions of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mizuho Takayanagi ◽  
Yoko Kawasaki ◽  
Mieko Shinomiya ◽  
Hoshino Hiroshi ◽  
Satoshi Okada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Intelligence Scale ◽  
Cognitive Characteristics ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

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.

Examining the experiences and quality of life of patients with an autism spectrum disorder detained in high secure psychiatric care

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Murphy ◽  
Hannah Mullens
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Psychiatric Care ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Living Situation ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secure Psychiatric Care

Purpose Although individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represent a small proportion of forensic psychiatric patients as a group they present with specific difficulties and needs. There is also evidence that if detained individuals with an ASD experience particular difficulties within custodial environments as a result of a mismatch between the difficulties associated with their ASD and the environmental demands. The purpose of this paper is to explore the experience of individuals with an ASD admitted to a high secure psychiatric care (HSPC) hospital. Design/methodology/approach Using both a semi-structured interview and a quality of life self-report measure (the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile) the experiences and views of seven patients with an ASD detained in one HSPC hospital were qualitatively explored. Findings Whilst a diverse range of negative and positive aspects of being within HSPC were identified by patients interviewed, those with prison experience thought HSPC was a less stressful environment with more therapeutic opportunities. As a group, patients with an ASD reported a similar or significantly better quality of life in many domains (global, leisure, financial and living situation) compared to other detained forensic patient groups. Practical implications Although most patients with an ASD interviewed reported positive experiences, there are a number of practical improvements that could be made within the hospital to reduce experienced stress levels and perhaps improve therapeutic outcomes. Originality/value Within the context of the Department of Health's autism strategy (2010) and subsequent update think autism (2014), the survey highlights continued ASD awareness training for staff as important. In responding to the risks and needs of individuals with an ASD in HSPC there is further support for the development of an ASD specialist service.

scholarly journals A systematic PRISMA review of individuals with autism spectrum disorder in secure psychiatric care: prevalence, treatment, risk assessment and other clinical considerations

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare S. Allely
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Psychiatric Care ◽  
Psychiatric Hospitals ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secure Psychiatric Care

Purpose Patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present with specific assessment, specific difficulties, needs and therapeutic issues and therefore are a challenging group for forensic services. Given the challenge that individuals with ASD present to forensic services, the suggested increase in the number of this group within this setting and the relatively little amount of research which suggests they face a number of difficulties within the prison environment, the purpose of this paper is to identify and review all the studies which have been carried out investigating any aspect of ASD in relation to secure hospital settings. Design/methodology/approach Seven internet-based bibliographic databases were used for the present review. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Findings A total of 12 studies were included in this review; 3 looked at the prevalence of ASD in secure psychiatric hospitals. One study evaluated the clinical utility of the AQ screening tool to assess self-reported autistic traits in secure psychiatric settings. Three explored any type of characteristics of patients with ASD detained in secure psychiatric hospitals. One study investigated the experiences or quality of life of patients with an ASD detained in secure psychiatric care. Two studies investigated awareness, knowledge and/or views regarding patients with ASD held by staff working within secure psychiatric hospitals. Lastly, three studies (one of which was also included in the prevalence category above) looked at the effectiveness of interventions or treatment of patients with ASD in secure psychiatric hospitals. Clinical recommendations and future research directions are discussed. Originality/value To the author’s knowledge, this is the first review to explore what research has been carried out looking specifically at patients with ASD in relation to secure forensic settings.

Chapter 19 The impact of robots on children with autism spectrum disorder

2016 ◽  
pp. 397-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi Zheng ◽  
Esubalew Bekele ◽  
Amy Swanson ◽  
Amy Weitlauf ◽  
Zachary Warren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
The Impact
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