Are there anthropometric and body composition differences between children with autism spectrum disorder and children with typical development? Analysis by age and spectrum severity in a school population

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132098772
Author(s):  
Patricia Esteban-Figuerola ◽  
Paula Morales-Hidalgo ◽  
Victoria Arija-Val ◽  
Josefa Canals-Sans
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Typical Development ◽  
Height Ratio ◽  
Waist Height Ratio

Overweight and obesity have been reported to be more prevalent in populations with autism spectrum disorder than in children with typical development. The aim of this study was to compare the anthropometric status of children with autism spectrum disorder (diagnosed and subclinical) and children with typical development and analyse which variables can affect the anthropometric and health status of children with autism spectrum disorder. We present a two-phase epidemiological study in a school population of two age groups which assesses autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, anthropometric data and bioelectrical impedance analysis. From an initial sample of 3,713 children, 79 with autism spectrum disorder, 42 with subclinical autism spectrum disorder and 350 with typical development participated in the study. Pre-schoolers with autism spectrum disorder were taller than pre-schoolers with typical development. School-age children with autism spectrum disorder showed a significantly higher body mass index and rate of overweight/obesity than children with typical development (63.4% vs 46.3%). No significant differences were found for bioelectrical impedance analysis, but school-age children with autism spectrum disorder showed a significantly higher waist circumference, waist/height ratio and cardiovascular risk than children with typical development. The quality of the diet was lower in children with autism spectrum disorder than in children with typical development. Multiple regression analyses showed that having autism spectrum disorder and internalizing psychological problems were associated with waist/height ratio and high cardiovascular risk in school-age children. Lay abstract This study makes a comparison between the growth status of pre-school and school-age children with autism spectrum disorder and typical development children. Pre-schoolers with autism spectrum disorder were taller than children with typical development. School-age children with autism spectrum disorder were more overweight/obese, had more body fat and a greater waist circumference and waist/height ratio than children with typical development. The presence of autism spectrum disorder and internalizing problems was associated with cardiovascular risk in school-age children.

Parent-reported early symptoms of autism spectrum disorder in children without intellectual disability who were diagnosed at school age

Autism ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 770-782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Goodwin ◽  
Nicole L Matthews ◽  
Christopher J Smith
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Symptom Presentation ◽  
Before School

Despite efforts to detect autism spectrum disorder during toddlerhood, many children with autism spectrum disorder remain undiagnosed until school age. To identify characteristics of children whose autism spectrum disorder might not be diagnosed during toddlerhood, this study used archived Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised records to examine the historical presentation of autism spectrum disorder symptoms in 48 school-age children with autism spectrum disorder. Children diagnosed after starting school (Late-Diagnosed; n = 24) were compared to age-matched children diagnosed before school age (Early-Diagnosed; n = 24). Symptom presentation was similar between groups, with the Late-Diagnosed group exhibiting only marginally fewer symptoms historically. The most commonly reported historical symptoms were negative symptoms, namely, deficits in social behaviors. Positive symptoms, such as unusual preoccupations, rituals, and mannerisms, were less commonly reported. These findings may aid earlier identification of autism spectrum disorder in children who would likely be diagnosed at school age.

scholarly journals Parent couples’ participation in speech-language therapy for school-age children with autism spectrum disorder in the United States

Autism ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-337
Author(s):  
Michelle Flippin ◽  
Debbie L Hahs-Vaughn
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
The United States ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
Therapist Communication

This study examined parent couples’ participation in and satisfaction with speech-language therapy for school-age children with autism spectrum disorder in the United States. Responses from 40 father–mother couples ( n = 80 parents) were examined across therapy components (i.e. parent–therapist communication, assessment, planning, and intervention). Descriptive frequencies, chi-square tests, intraclass correlations, and dyadic multilevel modeling were used to examine participation across fathers and mothers and within parent couples. Compared to mothers, fathers communicated less with therapists and participated less in assessment and planning. Fathers also had lower satisfaction than mothers with parent–therapist communication and planning. Although few parents participated in school-based therapy sessions, 40% of fathers and 50% of mothers participated in homework. However, few parents received homework support from therapists. Results are discussed in terms of clinical implications for interventionists to more effectively engage both fathers and mothers in family-centered speech-language therapy for school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder.

Effects of a Least-to-Most Prompting Procedure on Multisymbol Message Production in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erinn H. Finke ◽  
Jennifer M. Davis ◽  
Morgan Benedict ◽  
Lauren Goga ◽  
Jennifer Kelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
School Age ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Message Production

Purpose In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a least-to-most (LTM) prompting procedure (Ault & Griffen, 2013; MacDuff, Krantz, & McClannahan, 2001; Neitzel & Wolery, 2009) for increasing use of multisymbol messages in school-age children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) during a storybook reading activity. Method In the study, we used a single-subject, multiple-probe research design across participants (Kazdin, 1982) with 6 children (ages 8–12) with ASD and who used AAC systems for communication. There were 4 phases in this investigation: (a) baseline, (b) intervention, (c) generalization, and (d) maintenance. Results All participants exhibited a positive increase in multisymbol message production almost immediately upon introduction of the LTM prompting procedure. Conclusions The results of the investigation contribute important information on the efficacy of the LTM prompting procedure for teaching use of multisymbol messages to school-age children with ASD who use AAC.

A convergent review of interventions for school-age children with autism spectrum disorder.

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madalyn Hungate ◽  
Andrew W. Gardner ◽  
Sara Tackett ◽  
Trina D. Spencer
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age
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