Randomized pilot study of a special education advocacy program for Latinx/minority parents of children with autism spectrum disorder

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132199856
Author(s):  
Paul Luelmo ◽  
Connie Kasari ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Special Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Parent Advocacy ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Racial Ethnic

This study reports on a randomized controlled pilot intervention study examining the effectiveness and feasibility of a low-intensity (i.e. three sessions), low-cost, parent advocacy intervention. The intervention study employed community-partnered research methods and targeted a low-income community of mostly Latinx, immigrant-origin parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. The study was designed to test a parent-to-parent advocacy mentorship program in order to increase parent’s special education advocacy knowledge and empowerment. The educational intervention was delivered in Spanish to Spanish-speaking parents. Results indicated significantly increased in parent’s knowledge in the immediate intervention group, but this knowledge did not lead to greater sense of parent’s empowerment. Increases in knowledge about special education rights of their children are the first step toward advocating for services for their children. While parents from low-income, racial/ethnic minority backgrounds, particularly Latinx parents, can significantly increase their advocacy skills with a low-intensity, low-cost program, they may need more support in changing their self-perceptions of empowerment and advocacy. Lay abstract Persistent racial and ethnic disparities in obtaining an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and services have been documented for Latinx children and other racial/ethnic minorities. This study reports on an educational intervention examining the effectiveness and feasibility of a low-intensity (i.e. three sessions), low-cost, parent advocacy for Latinx and other minority parents of children with autism. Results indicated significantly increased parental knowledge and in the immediate intervention group, but this knowledge did not lead to greater empowerment. While parents from low-income, racial/ethnic minority backgrounds, particularly Latinx parents, can significantly increase their advocacy skills with a low-intensity, low-cost program, they may need more support in changing their self-perceptions of empowerment and advocacy.

Procedures and compliance of a video modeling applied behavior analysis intervention for Brazilian parents of children with autism spectrum disorders

Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 603-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila F Bagaiolo ◽  
Jair de J Mari ◽  
Daniela Bordini ◽  
Tatiane C Ribeiro ◽  
Maria Carolina C Martone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Applied Behavior Analysis ◽  
Joint Attention ◽  
Video Modeling ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Training Intervention ◽  
Parental Training

Video modeling using applied behavior analysis techniques is one of the most promising and cost-effective ways to improve social skills for parents with autism spectrum disorder children. The main objectives were: (1) To elaborate/describe videos to improve eye contact and joint attention, and to decrease disruptive behaviors of autism spectrum disorder children, (2) to describe a low-cost parental training intervention, and (3) to assess participant’s compliance. This is a descriptive study of a clinical trial for autism spectrum disorder children. The parental training intervention was delivered over 22 weeks based on video modeling. Parents with at least 8 years of schooling with an autism spectrum disorder child between 3 and 6 years old with an IQ lower than 70 were invited to participate. A total of 67 parents fulfilled the study criteria and were randomized into two groups: 34 as the intervention and 33 as controls. In all, 14 videos were recorded covering management of disruptive behaviors, prompting hierarchy, preference assessment, and acquisition of better eye contact and joint attention. Compliance varied as follows: good 32.4%, reasonable 38.2%, low 5.9%, and 23.5% with no compliance. Video modeling parental training seems a promising, feasible, and low-cost way to deliver care for children with autism spectrum disorder, particularly for populations with scarce treatment resources.

Family navigation to increase evaluation for autism spectrum disorder in toddlers: Screening and Linkage to Services for Autism pragmatic randomized trial

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 136236132097417
Author(s):  
Carolyn DiGuiseppi ◽  
Steven A Rosenberg ◽  
Margaret A Tomcho ◽  
Kathryn Colborn ◽  
Kristina Hightshoe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Early Identification ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Children With Autism ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
To Receive

The Screening and Linkage to Services for Autism pragmatic trial examined the effect of family navigation on referral and evaluation for autism spectrum disorder in an urban healthcare system serving low-income families. Children aged 16–30 months with initial scores ⩾3 on the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers–Revised with Follow-up (M-CHAT-R/F) were randomized to usual care ( n = 133) or navigation if indicated ( n = 142). Bilingual, bicultural autism family navigators offered navigation to intervention-group families if the completed M-CHAT-R/F indicated the need for autism spectrum disorder diagnostic evaluation. Autism family navigators also assisted families to arrange for completion of the M-CHAT-R/F interview if not done, and then offered navigation if indicated. Of 49 families for whom navigation was indicated, 45% received navigation, including care coordination, education, and practical support. In intention-to-treat analyses, the intervention did not increase referrals for evaluation but more than doubled completed autism spectrum disorder diagnostic evaluations. Intervention children were also more likely to complete the M-CHAT-R/F interview with fidelity. Research is needed to identify effective methods to improve uptake of family navigation. Family navigation may be an important tool for reducing systemic inequalities in the early identification and treatment of young children with autism spectrum disorder ( ClinicalTrials.gov , https://clinicaltrials.gov/ ; NCT02374541). Lay abstract Young children with autism spectrum disorder can benefit from early detection and intervention to moderate autism spectrum disorder’s effect on their development. Routine screening with standardized instruments facilitates early identification. However, many screen-positive children do not receive referrals for evaluation, complete diagnostic evaluations, or engage in services. This is especially true for children of color and those from less educated or low-income families. The Screening and Linkage to Services for Autism trial evaluated the effect of family navigation on referral and evaluation for autism spectrum disorder in screen-positive toddlers. The trial was conducted in an urban, low-income population. It was designed to test “real-world” implementation of family navigation. We randomly assigned 275 children aged 16–30 months with an initial positive autism spectrum disorder screen to receive navigation if indicated or usual care. Navigation increased the number of at-risk toddlers who were evaluated for autism spectrum disorder. It also improved the quality of autism spectrum disorder screening in primary care clinics. However, many children failed to receive indicated referrals for evaluation. Navigation did not improve referral rates. Furthermore, nearly half of families who were potentially eligible for navigation could not be contacted. Other ways of structuring the navigation program may be necessary to improve families’ access to and acceptance of navigation, especially in the setting of financial, cultural, and linguistic barriers. Our trial nevertheless showed that family navigation may be an important tool for reducing systemic inequalities in the early identification and treatment of young children with autism spectrum disorder.

Dog training intervention improves adaptive social communication skills in young children with autism spectrum disorder: A controlled crossover study

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110005
Author(s):  
Esther Ben-Itzchak ◽  
Ditza A Zachor
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Special Education ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adaptive Skills ◽  
Training Intervention ◽  
Dog Training

Controlled studies examining canine therapy in autism spectrum disorder are scarce. This study examined the effectiveness of a “Dog Training Intervention” on adaptive skills, autism severity, and anxiety using a controlled crossover design. Seventy-three participants diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder ( Mage = 4:10 ± 1:0) were divided into two groups that received the dog training intervention during half of the school year in addition to standard-of-care interventions. The dog training intervention, in which the children were taught how to interact with and train dogs, was given twice weekly for 4 months within autism spectrum disorder–specific special education school. Those receiving the dog training intervention first showed significantly increased adaptive social and communication skills compared to the controls, and the gains were maintained after the dog training intervention. Belonging to the first dog training intervention group, higher pre-intervention adaptive skills, higher baseline cognitive ability, and less severe autism severity predicted better adaptive social and communication skills. The controls improved in adaptive skills only during their receipt of dog training intervention after crossover. The positive impact on social communication skills suggests that dog training may serve as an effective model for establishing social interaction. Dog training intervention appears to be an effective adjunct treatment to interventions provided in special education schools for children with autism spectrum disorder. Lay abstract There is some evidence that using therapy dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder generally results in improved social communication skills and reduced behavioral problems. However, well-controlled studies that examine its effectiveness are scarce. This study examined the effectiveness of a “Dog Training Intervention.” The study included 73 participants diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (61 males, 12 females) with age range of 2:10–7:6 years ( M = 4:10 ± 1:0) who attend autism spectrum disorder–specific special education schools. The study population was divided into two groups. Each group received the dog training intervention during one part of the school year (first half or second half) in addition to the standard interventions provided by the special education school settings. The dog training intervention was given twice weekly for 4 months within the school setting. The group that received the dog training intervention first showed a significant increase in adaptive social and communication skills in comparison to the second group that did not receive the intervention in this period. This improvement was maintained after the dog training intervention. The second group, which received intervention at the second half of the year, showed improvement in communication and socialization adaptive skills only during the period in which they received the dog training intervention. The positive impact on social communication adaptive skills of the dog training intervention among young children with autism spectrum disorder suggests that dogs may serve as an effective model for establishing social interaction. Dog training intervention appears to be an effective adjunct treatment to the interventions provided in special education schools for young children with autism spectrum disorder.

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