scholarly journals Prognostic factors and predictors of outcome in children with autism spectrum disorder: the role of the paediatrician

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magda Di Renzo ◽  
Federico Bianchi di Castelbianco ◽  
Villani Alberto ◽  
Del Vecchio Antonio ◽  
Corsello Giovanni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Intelligence Quotient ◽  
Emotional Contagion ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Optimal Outcome ◽  
Clinical Criteria ◽  
Diagnostic Framework ◽  
Adaptive Behaviours

Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorder is a complex condition with wide variation in type and severity that involves persistent challenges in social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, restricted/repetitive behaviours and adaptive behaviours. In recent years, research has deepened the study of the predictive factors of optimal outcome, intended as indicators of positive trajectory in children with a previous diagnosis of autism who, after a therapeutic path, show a significant reduction in the “core” symptoms of autism and a positive evolution in social, adaptive, affective, and relational skills. Methods The study included 40 children aged 21 to 66 months, enrolled between 2015 and 2016 for an autism spectrum disorder clinical suspicious. Children were re-evaluated after at least 2 years of therapy and they were divided into two groups: the ASD-ASD group included children with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD, and the ASD-OO comparison group included children who no longer met the criteria for an autism classification. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the presence of cognitive, emotional and relational predictors capable of predicting the presence of optimal outcome in with a diagnosis of autism; the predictors taken into consideration were the intelligence quotient, the play, the emotional contagion and the understanding of other’s intentions. In this way, it is possible to support clinicians in defining a more complete diagnostic framework of autism, using assessment tools that can be administered quickly and therefore suitable for short observation sessions in paediatric patients. Results The findings showed that 15 out of 40 children, after at least for 2 years, no longer fell into the diagnostic ASD category based on the ADOS-2, DSM-5 and clinical criteria. The children in the ASD-OO group initially had a higher IQ than those in the ASD-ASD group, lower severity of autistic symptoms, greater understanding of intentions, more emotional contagion, and better quality of play. The results suggest that the initial coexistence of skills in these areas at the time of the first diagnostic assessment may allow us to predict the possibility of achieving optimal outcome after 2 years of therapy. Conclusions The data of this study highlight the importance of considering, during assessment, intelligence quotient, play, emotional contagion, and understanding of the intentions of others as potential prognostic predictors that can become useful tools for clinicians and paediatricians. This allows us to focus attention, in both the diagnostic and prognostic phases, on emotional-relational variables that can support the clinician in defining a more complete diagnostic framework and in planning a more personalized therapeutic path.

scholarly journals A Stakeholder-Engaged Approach to Development of an Animal-Assisted Intervention for Obesity Prevention Among Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Pet Dogs

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah E. Linder ◽  
Sara C. Folta ◽  
Aviva Must ◽  
Christina M. Mulé ◽  
Sean B. Cash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Home Therapy ◽  
Therapy Sessions ◽  
Animal Assisted Intervention

Stakeholder involvement in research has been demonstrated to increase the effectiveness, validity, and quality of a study. This paper describes the engagement of a stakeholder panel in the development and implementation of an animal-assisted intervention (AAI) assessment and program for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Canines for Autism Activity and Nutrition (CAAN) aims to promote physical activity and wellness among children diagnosed with ASD by integrating activities with their pet dog during the child's ongoing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) in-home therapy sessions. Feedback from stakeholders guided program development at each stage of the research process, including this publication. Utilizing a stakeholder-informed approach was essential for the development of assessment tools, program materials, and program design. Methods that may assist others to effectively partner with stakeholders to implement an AAI among children diagnosed with ASD or related disorders are described.

Emotional contagion in children with autism spectrum disorder varies with stimulus familiarity and task instructions

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 383-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly S. Helt ◽  
Deborah A. Fein ◽  
Jacob E. Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Eye Gaze ◽  
Emotional Contagion ◽  
Cognitive Empathy ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Contagious Yawning ◽  
Task Instructions ◽  
Children With Asd

AbstractAlthough deficits in cognitive empathy are well established in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the literature on emotional empathy, or emotional contagion, in individuals with ASD is sparse and contradictory. The authors tested susceptibility to contagious yawning and laughter in children with ASD (n = 60) and typically developing (TD) children (n = 60), ages 5–17 years, under various conditions, to elucidate factors that may affect emotional contagion in these populations. Although TD children showed equal amounts of emotional contagion across conditions, children with ASD were highly influenced by the familiarity of the target stimulus, as well as task instructions that encourage eye gaze to target. More specifically, children with ASD exhibited less contagious yawning and laughter than their TD peers except when their attention was explicitly directed to the eyes or (and even more so) when their parents served as the stimulus targets. The authors explore the implications of these findings for theories about the mechanisms underlying empathic deficits in ASD as well as the clinical implications of having parents involved in treatment.

scholarly journals Psychometric properties of assessment instruments for autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review of Brazilian studies

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bárbara Backes ◽  
Bruna Gomes Mônego ◽  
Cleonice Alves Bosa ◽  
Denise Ruschel Bandeira
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Screening Instrument ◽  
Brazilian Population ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Assessment Instruments ◽  
Copyright Information

Objective To systematically review the scientific literature on the psychometric properties of international instruments for the assessment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the Brazilian population. Methods A search of bibliographic references was conducted in six electronic databases: PsycINFO, PubMed, IndexPsi, Lilacs, Capes (theses and dissertations) and SciELO. The studies were selected by two independent researchers. Results The procedure identified 11 studies of the Brazilian population that encompassed six ASD assessment tools. Given the information provided, the adaptation of the M-CHAT, a screening instrument, was the best conducted. All steps of the adaptation process were described and the changes made to the final version of the instrument were presented, which was not addressed in other studies. In terms of reliability, all of the instruments that assessed internal consistency showed adequate values. In addition, the ADI-R and the CARS adaptations also satisfactorily contemplated inter-rater reliability and test-retest indices, respectively. Finally, all studies aiming to validate instruments showed evidence of validity and sensitivity, and specificity values above 0.90 were observed in the ASQ, ADI-R and ABC. Conclusion Considering both the psychometric aspects and the copyright information, the screening instrument that currently appears to be best indicated for clinical and research use is the M-CHAT. It was also noticed that there are still no specific ASD diagnostic tools available for use in Brazil. This lack of diagnostic instruments consists in a critical situation for the improvement of clinical practice and the development of research in this area.

scholarly journals The Genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorder- A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-199
Author(s):  
Gopen Kumar Kundu ◽  
Rumana Islam
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Genetic Diagnosis ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Significant Advance ◽  
Genetic Syndrome ◽  
The Family ◽  
Diagnostic Framework

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders representing deficits in socialization, communication impairment, repetitive patterns of behaviors and/or restricted interest. The increasing prevalence of ASD worldwide is most likely due to increasing awareness, widening of the diagnostic concepts and availability of diagnostic framework. It is a genetically influenced disorders caused by factors including genetic, epigenetic factors that affect gene expression and activity and non-genetic factors like environmental exposures. It is widely thought to represent a disorder of connectivity, in which the environment interacts with the genome. It can occur as an association with genetic syndrome, can occur sporadically or may be familial. Recognizing various phenotypic manifestations, it is understood that the underlying etiology of ASD is complex and genetic factors play an important role. The most significant advance in autism biology over the last decade has been in understanding the genetics of autism. The genetic diagnosis can benefit patients and the family by providing information, psychological support both immediate and long term and also can guide and help to prepare for the future. So, genetic diagnosis of ASD may offer opportunities for the identification of molecular targets for novel interventions, and provide new insight for families seeking genetic counseling. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2021; 39(3): 193-199

scholarly journals Leisure and Quality of Life among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder – A Review Based Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 176-188
Author(s):  
Menezes Ida Sylvia ◽  
Laveena D’Mello
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Quality Life

Purpose: Owing to the time-consuming job of caring for their child's family and friends, parents of children with autism spectrum disorder risk losing family relationships. The main aim was to identify and intervene in the quality of life of parents, the interventions offered to parents as primary caregivers of children with ASD. To explore parents' perspectives on beneficent for children with autism in connection with formative years, resources, and to confront the consequences of upraising a child with ASD. Design/Methodology/Approach: Systematic literature, resulting in the publication of 27 studies that focused on the living standards of parents of children with ASD. Systematic literature scrutiny was performed using the search words "autism spectrum disorder," ‘primary caregiver/ parents/ mother” and "Quality of life" in the electronic databases Research gate, Academia, Google Scholar, and PsycInfo. Findings/Result: QOL autism-specific assessment tools were limited and hence, most studies have employed a general measure tool to assess the influence of the diagnosed disorder on the physical and psychological well-being of parents/caregivers. Originality/Value: The sequel of this study advocate that to date, the appraisal of quality life in parents of children with ASD into clinical practice has been rationalized by the shortage of autism-specific scales. As generically do not catch all pertinent aspects of living with ASD raising the need for immediate measures. Implementing parental interventions in parallel with the child’s interventions may raise QOL. Paper Type: Systematic literature review.

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