Integrating Family Ritual and Sociocultural Theories as a Framework for Understanding Mealtimes of Families With Children on the Autism Spectrum

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 749-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Curtiss
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 649
Author(s):  
Flavia Marino ◽  
Paola Chilà ◽  
Chiara Failla ◽  
Ilaria Crimi ◽  
Roberta Minutoli ◽  
...  

Background: Telehealth is useful for both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis and treatment, but studies with a direct comparison between teletherapy and traditional in-person therapy are limited. Methods: This randomized control trial—ISRCTN (International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number) primary clinical trial registry ID ISRCTN15312724—was aimed at comparing the effect of a tele-assisted and in-person intervention based on a behavioral intervention protocol for families with children affected by ASDs. Forty-two parents with children with autism (30 months to 10 years old) were randomly assigned to 12 sessions of an applied behavioral analysis (ABA) intervention implemented in an individual and group setting, either with or without the inclusion of tele-assistance. Pre- and postintervention assessments were conducted using the Home Situation Questionnaire (HSQ-ASD) and the Parental Stress Index (PSI/SF). Results: Substantial improvements in the perception and management of children’s behavior by parents, as well as in the influence of a reduction in parent stress levels on said children’s behavior through the use of a tele-assisted intervention, were obtained. Conclusions: This randomized controlled trial demonstrates the evidence-based potential for telehealth to improve treatment of ASDs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (4_Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 7411515399p1
Author(s):  
Karla Ausderau ◽  
Shannon Kant ◽  
Jessica Muesbeck ◽  
Libby Hladik ◽  
Holly Romaniak ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (7) ◽  
pp. 142
Author(s):  
Brigita Kreiviniene ◽  
Žilvinas Kleiva

<p class="Standard">The article deals with a subjective approach towards the welfare of humans and dolphins perceived in the dolphin assisted therapy. Dolphin assisted therapy (DAT) is a therapy based on both-sided collaborative communication between child and dolphin. A pilot research of subjective welfare understanding is presented in the article. Eight families raising children with disabilities (one family with a child with cerebral palsy, two families with children with Down syndrome, and five families with children with autism spectrum disorder) took part in the dolphin-human welfare research. The research was carried out using a research strategy of triangulation applying different methods. The research was carried out using Portable Eye tracking system (SMI REDnScientific), Facial expression recognition software (Noldus Facereader 6.1), Event logging software for observational data collection, analysis and presentation with physiological data synchronization capabilities (Noldus Observer XT 12.5), qualitative telephone interview a week before the session of dolphin assisted therapy, open form for evaluation of  the results of dolphin assisted therapy in a child one month later after the participation in DAT. The results brought to the light that the families were mostly happy when watching their children; families raising children with severe disability were most satisfied with the dolphin assisted therapy; the subjectively perceived welfare of dolphins was understood as a possibility to choose a child for communication; also, if the therapy goals were measurable, the more satisfying results were reflected by parents after a month after the dolphin assisted therapy program.</p>


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umar Toseeb ◽  
Kathryn Asbury ◽  
Aimee Code ◽  
Laura Fox ◽  
Emre Deniz

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on how people go about their day to day life. The sudden change, along with necessary measures such as self-isolation and social distancing has been particularly challenging for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SENDs) and their families, given their reliance on many on carefully established routines and relationships as well as professional and informal support. Three hundred and thirty nine parents of children with SENDs (the majority with Autism Spectrum Conditions) completed an online survey during the first two months of the social distancing in the UK (23rd March 2020 - 22nd May 2020). Parents provided detailed accounts of their family’s needs both to support their child during lockdown and to transition back to school. Many of these support needs during lockdown were either unique to families of children with SENDs or represented a more profound challenge than in most neurotypical families. There were considerable differences in satisfaction with support during COVID-19 suggesting wide variation in support provided to families of children with SENDs. The findings also suggest that educators and policy makers should place the implementation of clear routines and targeted mental health support at the centre of any strategy designed to support children with SENDs in making the transition back to school. The study provides preliminary insights into parental perspectives on support during the COVID-19 pandemic for families with children with SENDs.


2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 516
Author(s):  
Raquel Cañete ◽  
M. Estela Peralta

COVID-19 has posed new physical and mental challenges for the population worldwide, establishing social and structural changes in the labor market that could be maintained and implemented permanently. This new reality will require new strategies to improve family and work conciliation, which is especially challenging for families with children suffering from psychological pathologies such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These changes have led to more frequent and intense behavioral problems, causing stress, anxiety, and confusion for these children and their families. Thus, the need to have tools that help parents reconcile work with the care of these children, who have low autonomy, is reinforced. This work develops a method for the design of assistive technology and smart products to support children with ASD in following a routine and managing tasks autonomously. In this way, the article analyzes the design problem including the needs and preferences of children with ASD and their parents during confinement in terms of dependence and adaptability; develops a design method for interactive and smart products focused on children with ASD in confinement situations; and validates this method in a case study, in which a robot is developed that makes it easier for children with ASD to follow a routine.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
China Parenteau ◽  
Stephen Bent ◽  
Bushra Hossain ◽  
Yingtong Chen ◽  
Felicia Widjaja ◽  
...  

Abstract Families with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face a unique set of challenges with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic and shelter-in-place related to a diverse set of issues, including explaining COVID-19 and safety precautions in a comprehensible way, building structure in home for e-learning to take place, and guiding children back into social situations and the community. We sought to obtain direct feedback through semi-structured interviews from fifteen parents of children and adolescents from a non-public school for children with level 2 and 3 ASD to both develop an initial guide for families, teachers and clinicians caring for children with ASD and to create awareness in the community about the challenges presented by COVID-19 and shelter-in-place.


2020 ◽  
pp. 321-328

Background. Gluten-free and casein-free diet is frequently used in the support of therapy of children with autism spectrum disorders. In addition, many parents restrict the consumption of simple sugars for their children. Objective. The aim of this paper was to understand factors influencing purchase decision in case of family with children with autism spectrum disorders on gluten-free and/or casein-free and/or sugar-free diet and the difficulties associated with this type of nutrition. Material and methods. The study covered a group of 40 families with children with autism spectrum disorders (32 boys and 8 girls) aged 3 to 10 years. Data were collected with questionnaire included questions concerning overall characteristics of caregivers, availability of foods used in the special diet, factors affecting decision on the purchase of products, difficulties in maintaining the child nutrition method. Results. The factors having strongest impact on parents’ decisions on the purchase of products were product composition, presence of a certificate confirming the absence of gluten and/or milk and taste values. Exclusion diet constituted a considerable obstruction for traveling, social gatherings and resulted in conflicts with family and the environment. The limited range of healthy gluten-free, casein-free and sugar-free foods, low taste quality and unsatisfactory quality impeded purchase and preparation of varied meals. Conclusions. The surveyed parents were aware consumers, paying attention primarily to product composition and safety. The respondents were looking for healthy, organic and nutritionally valuable products with low sugar content. Further development of the gluten/casein/ sugar free products market may considerably improve certain aspects of family’s life with children with autism spectrum disorders.


Author(s):  
Benjamin Zablotsky ◽  
Katelyn Boswell ◽  
Christopher Smith

Abstract Parental school involvement and satisfaction are unstudied in families raising a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To fill this gap, the current study utilized a national sample of families (N  =  8,978) from the 2007 Parent and Family Involvement in Education survey (U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2006–2007). Parents of children with ASDs were found to be more likely than parents of children without the disorder to attend parent–teacher conferences, meet with school guidance counselors, and help with homework. Parents of children with ASD were also more dissatisfied with the level of communication provided by the school. There was a significant positive correlation between parental school involvement and parental school satisfaction. These findings have important implications for how schools interact with families with children with ASD.


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