Autism spectrum disorder in the United Arab Emirates: potential environmental links

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-369
Author(s):  
Samuel Virolainen ◽  
Wejdan Hussien ◽  
Sarah Dalibalta
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Breastfeeding Practices ◽  
Public Health Challenge ◽  
Suboptimal Breastfeeding ◽  
Published Research

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been experiencing an increase in global prevalence in recent decades. While many factors could account for this reality, certain environmental links have been shown to contribute to ASD development and etiology. The Middle East has had relatively little published research on ASD etiology although statistics indicate that ASD affects 1 in 146 births in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This review therefore aims to examine potential causes of ASD within the UAE specifically, focusing on environmental links that may contribute to the rise in ASD cases in this population. Significantly, suboptimal breastfeeding practices, high levels of vitamin D deficiency, increased exposure to pollution, pesticides and heavy metals within the UAE may all be potentially important contributing factors to ASD in this population. Our findings support the notion that there are key links between various environmental factors and ASD prevalence in the UAE. The lack of knowledge and much research on ASD within the UAE deeply necessitates further studies on its etiology as it poses a serious public health challenge in the region and globally.

The Influence of Language Context on Repetitive Speech Use in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 327-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Gladfelter ◽  
Cassidy VanZuiden
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Receptive Vocabulary ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Social Responsiveness ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Language Context

Purpose Although repetitive speech is a hallmark characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the contributing factors that influence repetitive speech use remain unknown. The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine if the language context impacts the amount and type of repetitive speech produced by children with ASD. Method As part of a broader word-learning study, 11 school-age children with ASD participated in two different language contexts: storytelling and play. Previously collected language samples were transcribed and coded for four types of repetitive speech: immediate echolalia, delayed echolalia, verbal stereotypy, and vocal stereotypy. The rates and proportions of repetitive speech were compared across the two language contexts using Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests. Individual characteristics were further explored using Spearman correlations. Results The children produced lower rates of repetitive speech during the storytelling context than the play-based context. Only immediate echolalia differed between the two contexts based on rate and approached significance based on proportion, with more immediate echolalia produced in the play-based context than in the storytelling context. There were no significant correlations between repetitive speech and measures of social responsiveness, expressive or receptive vocabulary, or nonverbal intelligence. Conclusions The children with ASD produced less immediate echolalia in the storytelling context than in the play-based context. Immediate echolalia use was not related to social skills, vocabulary, or nonverbal IQ scores. These findings offer valuable insights into better understanding repetitive speech use in children with ASD.

Stress, Anxiety and Depression Among Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2004 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicki Bitsika ◽  
Christopher F. Sharpley
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Personal Support ◽  
Behavioural Difficulties ◽  
Clinically Depressed ◽  
Support Mechanisms ◽  
Anxiety Depression

In a replication of a previous study of the incidence and contributing factors in anxiety, depression and stress in Victorian parents of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a sample of 107 Gold Coast parents completed a questionnaire that assessed their demographic backgrounds, anxiety and depression scores on standardised inventories, and also tapped several aspects of those factors that may have contributed to their wellbeing. Over 90% of parents reported that they were sometimes unable to deal effectively with their child's behaviour. Nearly half of the participants were severely anxious and nearly two thirds were clinically depressed. Factors that emerged as significant in differentiating between parents with high versus low levels of anxiety and depression included access to family support, parents' estimation of family caregivers' expertise in dealing with the behavioural difficulties of a child with ASD, and parental health. Parents' suggestions for personal support services are reported, and some comparisons across the data from the two states are made, with suggestions for further research into parent support mechanisms.

scholarly journals The long-term outcomes of a cohort of adolescents and adults from Greece with autism spectrum disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaia Sevaslidou ◽  
Christina Chatzidimitriou ◽  
Grigoris Abatzoglou
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Psychiatric Clinic ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Adolescents And Adults

Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Although it is a lifelong condition, treatments and services can improve a person’s symptoms and ability to function. Research on the outcomes in adolescence and adult life and on the associated factors is limited. The objective of the present study is to examine the outcomes as well as the contributing factors in adolescents and adults diagnosed with ASD in Greece. Method Participants included 69 parents of individuals diagnosed with ASD in their childhood. Interviews were conducted with the parents, and archived medical and psychological records were collected. Participants had been diagnosed in the Child and Adolescent Unit of the 3d Psychiatric Clinic of the AHEPA Hospital in Thessaloniki, Greece between 1990 and 2007. Results The overall outcome was poor in most of cases (22.6% “very poor” and 24.5% “poor”); however, a substantial number had “good” (18.9%) or “very good” (22.6%) outcomes. Severity of initial diagnosis (χ2 = 65.956, DF = 8, p < 0.001), presence of comorbid disorders in childhood (χ2 = 14,085, DF = 4, p < 0.007), current comorbidity (χ2 = 15.834, DF = 4, p = 0.003), and certain developmental milestones [early acquisition of language skills (χ2 = 16.991, DF = 8, p = 0.030)] were positively correlated with adult outcomes. Conclusions Overall outcomes in the Greek sample were consistent with international studies. It seems that important contributing factors are comorbidity and especially overall lower cognitive function (intellectual disability), but further research is needed as well as enhanced adult-oriented research and intervention programs.

scholarly journals “Mom Let’s Go to the Dentist!” Preliminary Feasibility of a Tailored Dental Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Italian Public Health Service

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Narzisi ◽  
Mariasole Bondioli ◽  
Francesca Pardossi ◽  
Lucia Billeci ◽  
Maria Claudia Buzzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Public Health Service ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Medical Setting

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show worse oral health than their peers. Their access to health services is, at present, inadequate: few high-quality interventions have been designed and implemented to improve their care procedures so far. The purpose of this study is to describe an experience of dental care supported by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), for children with ASD in a public health service. In our study, 59 children (mean age 9.9 years; SD = 5.43) participated in the MyDentist project. It integrates classic dental care techniques with new practices for desensitization and fear control, delivered through an enhanced customized ICT-based intervention aiming at familiarizing the child with ASD with the medical setting and procedures. Two questionnaires were filled out by parents to describe the acceptability of the MyDentist experience for their children. Significant results were shown from T0 (before initiating MyDentist) to T1 (after 6 months of the MyDentist experience) regarding improved oral hygiene and cooperation during dental treatments. Families positively assessed the use of ICT support. In conclusion, the project demonstrated acceptability by parents, suggesting that public health dental care and prevention can be successfully implemented without resorting to costly pharmacological interventions (with potential side effects), taking better care of children’s health.

scholarly journals Is It Possible to Educate, Intervene or “Cure” Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Content Analysis of YouTube Videos

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2350
Author(s):  
Irene Lacruz-Pérez ◽  
Pilar Sanz-Cervera ◽  
Gemma Pastor-Cerezuela ◽  
Irene Gómez-Marí ◽  
Raúl Tárraga-Mínguez
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Factual Content ◽  
Youtube Videos ◽  
Practical Implications

YouTube is one of the most well-known and widely accessed websites worldwide, thus having a powerful pedagogical potential. Nonetheless, the quality and the veracity of some YouTube videos are questionable. Doubts regarding the trustworthiness of factual content is a controversial factor that needs to be taken into account, especially when addressing public health issues. For this reason, the main objective of this work is to analyze the content of the most viewed videos in Spanish on YouTube related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To carry out this research, the terms “autism AND education”, “autism AND intervention”, and “autism AND cure” were used (in Spanish). The analysis of these searches results indicated that videos included in the “cure” category are shorter, and less valued by internet users, obtaining the lowest ratings on the “Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool” for audiovisual materials (PEMAT-A/V), in addition to present therapies that are in fact more harmful than videos in other categories. In general, videos containing recommendations for therapies that are harmful are the ones that have received most views, along with the videos that include alternative non-harmful therapies. Practical implications of these findings and recommendations for further research are discussed.

scholarly journals Alternative therapies for children’s with autism spectrum disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 2421
Author(s):  
Asvitha Govindaraju ◽  
Preethi Lakshminarayanan ◽  
Sarvesh Sabarathinam ◽  
Haripritha Meganathan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Speech Therapy ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Alternative Therapies ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Integrative Therapy ◽  
Complete Cure

Autism is one of the major public health concerns in children around the world. Sudden behavioral changes and improper communication is considered to be most common public health hazards. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic therapy and music therapies are the most recommended treatment patterns. A complete cure is not achieved by the existing conventional therapies. Patients and caretakers choose alternative therapies like herbs as a final hope in management of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Most of the people are not aware of the drawbacks of alternative therapies. However, the selection of alternative therapies might help in communication balance as well as behavioral changes and speedy recovery. However, not all the alternative therapies lead to complete cure and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns false claims over the chelation therapy practice in ASD since it causes hypocalcaemia. A combination of herbal medicines with conventional treatment is known to have a positive effect in treating ASD children as well as some under-reported adverse reactions. Herbal medication, along with integrative therapy as an adjunctive to traditional treatment, also have an impact in treating children with ASD. Since the majority of the patients/caretakers are not disclosing their complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) use to their respective physicians. Physicians should give extra care and encourage the parents/caretakers to disclose their CAM practice in order to avoid false claim which results in serious adverse effects and life-threatening complications.

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