scholarly journals Autism Spectrum Disorders in Nigeria: A Scoping Review of Literature and Opinion on Future Research and Social Policy Directions

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 899-909 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muideen O. Bakare ◽  
Olufemi G. Taiwo ◽  
Mashudat A. Bello-Mojeed ◽  
Kerim M. Munir
Author(s):  
Sarah N. Douglas ◽  
Yan Shi ◽  
Saptarshi Das ◽  
Subir Biswas

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) struggle to develop appropriate social skills, which can lead to later social rejection, isolation, and mental health concerns. Educators play an important role in supporting and monitoring social skill development for children with ASD, but the tools used by educators are often tedious, lack suitable sensitivity, provide limited information to plan interventions, and are time-consuming. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate the use of a sensor system to measure social proximity between three children with ASD and their peers in an inclusive preschool setting. We compared video-coded data with sensor data using point-by-point agreement to measure the accuracy of the sensor system. Results suggest that the sensor system can adequately measure social proximity between children with ASD and their peers. The next steps for sensor system validation are discussed along with clinical and educational implications, limitations, and future research directions.


Author(s):  
Fabrizio Stasolla ◽  
Alessandro O. Caffò ◽  
Viviana Perilli

This chapter emphasizes a selective overview of the newest empirical contributions available in the literature within the last decade (i.e., 2008-2019) regarding the use of assistive technology for the inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in daily settings. According to the including and excluding criteria, 40 studies were retained and grouped in five main categories, namely (1) communication skills, (2) adaptive and/or social skills, (3) life skills, (4) challenging behaviors, and (5) academic performance. The first aim of the chapter was to outline strengths and weaknesses of the aforementioned studies. The second objective of the chapter was to provide some practical and illustrative examples of assistive technology-based programs aimed at the integration of children with ASD in daily settings. Finally, the third purpose was to discuss the findings pointing out some useful guidelines for future research and practice. Results were fairly positive, although some failure occurred. Clinical, educational, psychological, and rehabilitative implications were critically discussed.


2022 ◽  
pp. 48-70
Author(s):  
Denise Gulino

This chapter has the aim to provide a concise overview of which assistive technology tools can be used to implement interventions for people with autism spectrum disorders and what developers and designers must take into account when they want to approach to the development of these technologies. Four areas of intervention have been identified: (1) treatment of phobias, (2) social interactions, (3) academic skills, (4) job performance. Ten contributions have been reviewed for a total of 216 participants. Positive results and limits of various studies have been identified. In each session a specific technology will be analyzed, and some general guidelines will be provided. Some suggestions will be emphasized for future research.


Author(s):  
Н.В. Соловьева ◽  
С.В. Чаусова ◽  
И.В. Кичук ◽  
Е.В. Макарова

Расстройства аутистического спектра (РАС) являются сложной группой нейропсихиатрических заболеваний с точки зрения этиопатогенеза. В основе нейрональных нарушений, приводящих к аутистической симптоматике, лежат дисфункции сигнальных путей. Согласно последним исследованиям одним из наиболее значимых сигнальных путей в развитии данной группы заболеваний является кальциевый сигнальный путь. Кальциевая сигнализация тесно связана с такими сигнальными путями, как MAPK-, Wnt-, PI3K/AKT/mTOR-, нарушение в работе которых приводит к нарушениям серотонинергической, дофаминергической, опиоидной, холинергической, глутаматергической, ГАМКергической передачи и влечет за собой эксайтотоксичность за счёт гиперактивации NMDA- и AMPA-рецепторов, повреждение и гибель нейронов. Все эти процессы в нейрональных клетках напрямую связаны с формированием долговременного потенцирования и депрессии, а нарушения в этих клетках приводят к дисфункции базисных психических процессов. С клинической точки зрения кальциевый сигнальный путь может стать одной из основных мишеней для фармакологической коррекции симптоматических проявлений РАС. Очевидно, что дальнейшие исследования на животных моделях и электрофизиологические клинические исследования необходимы для понимания патогенетических особенностей развития РАС, а также какое именно место занимает сигнальный путь Ca 2+ в данных состояниях. Дальнейшие исследования необходимы, для прояснения потенциальной роли сигнализации Ca 2+в изменениях социального или стериотипического поведении пациентов, что является основной обенностью РАС. Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neuropsychiatric diseases with a complex etiopathogenesis. Neuronal disorders leading to autistic symptoms are determined by dysfunction of signaling pathways. Recent studies have demonstrated that the calcium signaling pathway is one of the major significant pathways for this group of disorders. Calcium signaling is closely linked to MAPK-, Wnt-, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR -pathways, which abnormalities lead to dysfunction of serotonergic, dopaminergic, opioidergic, cholinergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic transmission and result in excitotoxicity due to hyperactivation of NMDA and AMPA receptors and neuronal damage and death. These processes in neuronal cells are associated with formation of long-term potentiation and depression, and disturbances in these cells lead to failure of basic mental processes. From a clinical point of view, the calcium signaling pathway can become one of major targets for the pharmacological treatment of symptomatic ASD. Obviously, further animal studies and electrophysiological human studies are required for understanding pathogenetic mechanisms of ASD and the contribution of Ca 2+ signaling. Future research will clarify a potential role of Ca 2+ signaling in social or stereotypic behavior, which constitutes a main feature of ADS.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Laari ◽  
Desmond Kuupiel ◽  
Christian Makafui Boso

Abstract Background: Early detection and intervention of children living with Autism Spectrum Disorders have shown a great improvement of the child's behaviour, predominantly in language and motor skills development. We are proposing to conduct a systematic scoping review that will map all evidence available on children living with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Africa.Methods and analysis: This study will be guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework of scoping reviews. A comprehensive literature search will be done in the following electronic databases. Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Science Direct, EBSCOhost, MEDLINE, Health Sources, and Google Scholar. Primary studies, published in peer-reviewed journals and grey literature such as unpublished studies, studies in press and Theses that address our research question will be included. To reduce research bias two independent reviewers will perform title, abstract, and full article screening in parallel. Data extraction from the selected studies will be conducted by two independent reviewers. NVivo version 12 software will be used to assist with the extraction of relevant answers to the study questions from selected studies using content thematic analysis. The results for this planned study will be presented following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR). Mixed Methods Assessment Tool version 2018 will be used for quality appraisal of included studies.Discussion: We anticipate that the proposed mapped evidence on Children living with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Africa will reveal indicators for early detection that would facilitate strategies for intervention. We are also anticipating that this systematic scoping review will reveal gaps that can be addressed to ensure context-sensitive interventions and identify caregiver burdens of children living with Autism. This will contribute to the reduction of a scarcity of literature on children living with Autism in Africa.


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