scholarly journals Clinical signs associated with earlier diagnosis of children with autism Spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nachum Sicherman ◽  
Jimmy Charite ◽  
Gil Eyal ◽  
Magdalena Janecka ◽  
George Loewenstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Hindsight Bias ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Regression Tree ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Parental Recall

Abstract Background The objective of this study is to gain new insights into the relationship between clinical signs and age at diagnosis. Method We utilize a new, large, online survey of 1743 parents of children diagnosed with ASD, and use multiple statistical approaches. These include regression analysis, factor analysis, and machine learning (regression tree). Results We find that clinical signs that most strongly predict early diagnosis are not necessarily specific to autism, but rather those that initiate the process that eventually leads to an ASD diagnosis. Given the high correlations between symptoms, only a few signs are found to be important in predicting early diagnosis. For several clinical signs we find that their presence and intensity are positively correlated with delayed diagnosis (e.g., tantrums and aggression). Even though our data are drawn from parents’ retrospective accounts, we provide evidence that parental recall bias and/or hindsight bias did not play a significant role in shaping our results. Conclusion In the subset of children without early deficits in communication, diagnosis is delayed, and this might be improved if more attention will be given to clinical signs that are not necessarily considered as ASD symptoms. Our findings also suggest that careful attention should be paid to children showing excessive tantrums or aggression, as these behaviors may interfere with an early ASD diagnoses.

scholarly journals Clinical Signs Associated with Earlier Diagnosis of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nachum Sicherman ◽  
Jimmy Charite ◽  
Gil Eyal ◽  
Magdalena Janecka ◽  
George Loewenstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Hindsight Bias ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Regression Tree ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Parental Recall

Abstract Background: The objective of this study is to gain new insights into the relationship between clinical signs and age at diagnosis. Method: We utilize a new, large, online survey of 1743 parents of children diagnosed with ASD, and use multiple statistical approaches. These include regression analysis, factor analysis, and machine learning (regression tree). Results: We find that clinical signs that most strongly predict early diagnosis are not necessarily specific to autism, but rather those that initiate the process that eventually leads to an ASD diagnosis. Given the high correlations between symptoms, only a few signs are found to be important in predicting early diagnosis. For several clinical signs we find that their presence and intensity are positively correlated with delayed diagnosis (e.g., tantrums and aggression). Even though our data are drawn from parents’ retrospective accounts, we provide evidence that parental recall bias and/or hindsight bias did not play a significant role in shaping our results. Conclusion: In the subset of children without early deficits in communication, diagnosis is delayed, and this might be improved if more attention will be given to clinical signs that are not necessarily considered as ASD symptoms. Our findings also suggest that careful attention should be paid to children showing excessive tantrums or aggression, as these behaviors may interfere with an early ASD diagnoses.

scholarly journals Clinical Signs Associated With Earlier Diagnosis of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nachum Sicherman ◽  
Jimmy Charite ◽  
Gil Eyal ◽  
Magdalena Janecka ◽  
George Loewenstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Hindsight Bias ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Recall Bias ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Parental Recall

Abstract Background: The objective of this study is to gain new insights into the relationship between clinical signs and age at diagnosis. Method: We utilize a new, large, online survey of parents of children diagnosed with ASD, and use multiple statistical approaches. Results: We find that clinical signs that most strongly predict early diagnosis are not necessarily specific to autism, but rather those that initiate the process that eventually leads to an ASD diagnosis. Given the high correlations between symptoms, only a few signs are found to be important in predicting early diagnosis. For several clinical signs we find that their presence and intensity are positively correlated with delayed diagnosis (e.g., tantrums and aggression). Even though our data are drawn from parents’ retrospective accounts, we provide evidence that parental recall bias and/or hindsight bias did not play a significant role in shaping our results. Conclusion: In the subset of children without early deficits in communication, diagnosis is delayed, and this might be improved if more attention will be given to clinical signs that are not necessarily considered as ASD symptoms. Our findings also suggest that careful attention should be paid to children showing excessive tantrums or aggression, as these behaviors may interfere with an early ASD diagnoses.

Grandma knows best: Family structure and age of diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder

Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nachum Sicherman ◽  
George Loewenstein ◽  
Teresa Tavassoli ◽  
Joseph D Buxbaum
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Family Structure ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
The Other ◽  
Age Of Diagnosis

This pilot study estimates the effects of family structure on age of diagnosis, with the goal of identifying factors that may accelerate or delay diagnosis. We conducted an online survey with 477 parents of children with autism. In addition, we carried out novel, follow-up surveys of 196 “friends and family,” who were referred by parents. Family structure and frequency of interactions with family members have significant effects on age of diagnosis (p < 0.05). In all, 25% of parents report that other individuals indicated that their child might have a serious condition before they themselves suspected it. Moreover, around 50% of friends and family report that they suspected that the child had a serious condition before they were aware that either parent was concerned, suggesting that the clues were there to see, especially for experienced viewers. While half of those individuals shared their concerns with the parents, the other half either did not raise any concern (23%) or just “hinted” at their concern (27%). Among children with siblings, children with an older sibling are diagnosed approximately 10 months earlier (p < 0.01) than those without, and children with no siblings were diagnosed 6–8 months earlier than children with siblings (p < 0.01). Interestingly, frequent interactions with grandparents, especially grandmothers, significantly lowered the age of diagnosis by as much as 5 months (p < 0.05). While this pilot study requires replication, the results identify potential causes for accelerated or delayed diagnosis, which if better understood, could ultimately improve age of diagnosis and treatment, and hence outcomes.

scholarly journals Autism Spectrum Disorder and screen time during lockdown: an Italian study.

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1263
Author(s):  
Maria Grazia Logrieco ◽  
Laura Casula ◽  
Giuseppe Niccolò Ciuffreda ◽  
Ilaria Nicolì ◽  
Maria Spinelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Core Symptoms ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic brought deep changes to the daily lives of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), greatly increasing their amount of time spent at home. Methods: A cohort of 243 parents of children with ASD (2-15 years old) completed an original online survey regarding the child’s screen time and the modification of the ASD symptomatology during lockdown to investigate the relationship between them. Results: The data show that high solitary screen time is related with the worsening of ASD core symptoms. Conclusions: This study may help to increase awareness in the excessive use of screen in children with ASD during the lockdown, both during the pandemic as well as after it ends.

scholarly journals Receptive Language in Primary-School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 137-161
Author(s):  
D.S. Pereverzeva ◽  
U.A. Mamokhina ◽  
E.Yu. Davydova ◽  
A.A. Lopukhina ◽  
V.G. Arutiunian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Receptive Language ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Verbal Intelligence ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Autistic Disorders ◽  
The Relationship

The objective of the present study is to investigate the relationship between the receptive language, and the index of non-verbal intelligence and the level of severity of autistic disorders in primary-school-aged children with Autism spectrum disorder. One of the main areas influenced by autistic disorders is communication. Therefore, the study of the language abilities of such children and factors that affect them provides a better approach to the therapy and education. The sample included 50 children aged 7–11 years diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Children were tested using the KORABLIK method (basic linguistic skills), the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC-II) or the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children ― Third Edition (WISC-III) (non-verbal intelligence), the Autism Diagnosis Observation Schedule ― Second Edition (ADOS-II) (autistic traits). The results support the hypothesis of the relationship between receptive language skills, the index of non-verbal intelligence, and symptoms of autism. The severity of autistic traits is negatively associated with some phonological and lexical levels of the receptive speech, as well as with understanding of discourse. The non-verbal intelligence index is positively associated with speech comprehension at all levels. A specific feature of receptive language in children with Autism spectrum disorder aged 7–11 years is the uneven development, which is associated with the severity of autistic traits and is not associated with the intelligence level.

Hair Cortisol and Self-Injurious Behavior Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-166
Author(s):  
Andrea B. Courtemanche ◽  
William R. Black ◽  
Jerrold S. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Problem Behavior ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Parent Ratings ◽  
Hair Cortisol ◽  
Hpa Axis Activity ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Elevated salivary cortisol levels have been documented in individuals who engage in self-injurious behavior (SIB), indicating acute physiological stress. Less is known about the chronicity of stress and SIB. We analyzed the relationship between parent ratings of problem behavior and hair cortisol concentrations (an index of chronic adrenocortical activity) in 23 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parent ratings of problem behavior were not significantly correlated with hair cortisol concentrations. When children were categorized into groups based on the frequency and severity of SIB, participants with the greatest frequency and severity of SIB had higher hair cortisol concentrations compared to children without SIB. Frequent and severe SIB may be associated with altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity in children with ASD.

Feeding Challenges in Children With Autism and the Relationship With Parent and Child Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 7512500037p1-7512500037p1
Author(s):  
Brittany St John ◽  
Muhammad Al-Heizan ◽  
Molly Hamre ◽  
Karla Ausderau ◽  
Kate Dorrance ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parenting Stress ◽  
Child Outcomes ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Sensory Responses ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Feeding Interventions ◽  
Family Centered

Abstract Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. This study presents the relationships between different types of feeding challenges for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to specific sensory patterns, parenting stress, and overall adaptive behaviors. The findings of this study suggest children with ASD demonstrate unique patterns of feeding challenges and sensory responses that are significantly connected to parenting stress and adaptive behavior and can inform the development of targeted family-centered feeding interventions. Primary Author and Speaker: Brittany St John Additional Authors and Speakers: Muhammad Al-Heizan, Molly Hamre, and Karla Ausderau Contributing Authors: Kate Dorrance, Colleen Althoff

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