scholarly journals Autism Spectrum Disorders in Mali: Parental concerns about child developmental milestones and late diagnostic age

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Modibo Sangare ◽  
Ya Diarra ◽  
Djeneba Konate ◽  
Mohamed S Haidara ◽  
Adama Karembe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In Mali, the national health facility-based prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) was 4.5% (105/2,343) and the age of first medical visit for autistic children was around 7 years old in 2018. Parental recognition of developmental abnormalities initiates the early autism detection and diagnosis. Our aim was to investigate if parental concerns were associated with early first medical visits and subsequent ASD diagnostic in Mali. Methods: We conducted a pilot study from November 2017 to July 2019. We surveyed parents of 57 out of 60 available autistic children aged 3-14 years old. Results: Parents were concerned over verbal communication in 54.1% and reciprocal social interaction in 43.8%. Children with ASD had their first medical visit after 18 months old in 66.7%, ≥ two medical visits in 87.7%, and were identified after 36 months old in 76.8%. Conclusion: Parental concerns were not significantly associated with early first medical visit and ASD identification. Our results will guide future full scale studies on parental concerns in ASD in Mali.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Modibo Sangare ◽  
Ya Diarra ◽  
Djeneba Konate ◽  
Mohamed S Haidara ◽  
Adama Karembe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In Mali, the health facility-based prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) was 4.5% (105/2,343) and the age of first medical visit for autistic children was around 7 years old in 2018. Parental recognition of developmental abnormalities initiates the early autism detection and diagnosis. Our aim was to investigate if parental concerns were associated with early first medical visits and subsequent ASD diagnostic in Mali. Methods We conducted a pilot study from November 2017 to July 2019. We surveyed parents of 57 autistic children aged 3-14 years old. Results Parents were concerned over verbal communication in 54.1% and reciprocal social interaction in 43.8%. Children with ASD had their first medical visit after 18 months old in 66.7%, ≥ two medical visits in 87.7%, and were identified after 36 months old in 76.8%.Conclusion: Parental concerns were not significantly associated with early first medical visit and ASD identification. A full scale study will be conducted for more consistent results.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Modibo Sangare ◽  
Ya DIARRA ◽  
Djeneba Konate ◽  
Mohamed Sanoussi Haidara ◽  
Adama Karembe ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundIn Mali, the health facility-based prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Mali was 4.5% (105/2,343) and the age of first medical visit for autistic children was around 7 years old in 2018. Parental recognition of developmental abnormalities initiates the early autism detection and diagnosis. We aimed to assess the feasibility of a main study to associate parental concerns with early first medical visits and subsequent ASD diagnostic in Mali.MethodsWe conducted a pilot study from November 2017 to July 2019. We surveyed 57 parents of autistic children aged 3-14 years old.ResultsParents were concerned over verbal communication in 54.1% and reciprocal social interaction in 43.8%. Children with ASD had their first medical visit after 18 months old in 66.7%, ≥ two medical visits in 87.7%, and were identified after 36 months old in 76.8%.ConclusionParental concerns were not significantly associated with early first medical visit and ASD identification. This pilot study will help in the design of larger studies on the same topic in Mali.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Modibo Sangare ◽  
Ya Diarra ◽  
Djeneba Konate ◽  
Mohamed S Haidara ◽  
Adama Karembe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In Mali, the health facility-based prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Mali was 4.5% (105/2,343) and the age of first medical visit for autistic children was around 7 years old in 2018. Parental recognition of developmental abnormalities initiates the early autism detection and diagnosis. In this pilot study, our aim was to investigate if parental concerns were associated with early first medical visits and subsequent ASD diagnostic in Mali. Methods: We conducted a pilot study from November 2017 to July 2019. We surveyed 57 parents of autistic children aged 3-14 years old. Results: Parents were concerned over verbal communication in 54.1% and reciprocal social interaction in 43.8%. Children with ASD had their first medical visit after 18 months old in 66.7%, ≥ two medical visits in 87.7%, and were identified after 36 months old in 76.8%. Conclusion: Parental concerns were not significantly associated with early first medical visit and ASD identification. This pilot study will help in the design of larger studies on the same topic in Mali.


Author(s):  
Таміла Коломоєць ◽  
Дар’я Кассім

Kolomoiets N.H., Kassim D.A. Using the Augmented Reality to Teach of Global Reading of Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Over the last decade a significant increasing of the number of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the world is marked. Ukraine is no exception. High rates of disease ASD require finding the new ways of correcting these groups of children. The aim of the research: to substantiate feasibility of using of the augmented reality’s technologies to teach of global reading in a special education of autistic children. In the course of the study an experiment, descriptive and comparative analysis methods, generalization, logical research method were used. Results of the research: it is shown that, it is expedient to use  technologies of the augmented reality in the educational and correctional process of children with ASD to teach them of global reading. Using the augmented reality reveals a number of new opportunities, the promising of which is an interaction with the artificial world through mobile devices, which are more accessible and predictable for the special development of autistic children. At the initial stage of teaching of global reading, the instrument of augmented reality is used in a set of successive task groups. The first of these is aimed at the development of visual perception, the formation of the ability to analyze, isolate and generalize, navigate in space. The second and third set of tasks included the teaching of children to understand the meaning of words, the correlation of words with images presented on the screen of gadgets. At the final stage, namely, teaching of global reading, the technology of augmented reality has opened unlimited possibilities for using of various text materials and virtual images to them. Conclusions: a) an analysis of experimental work with preschoolers with ASD suggests that the use of augmented reality in teaching of global reading of children helps to increase the efficiency of the educational and correctional process; b) the technology of the augmented reality has allowed rising to a qualitatively new level of mastering of global reading by autistic children; c) prospects for further experimental research will be the implementation of the proposed methodology and obtaining its effectiveness and efficiency in practice.


Author(s):  
Alexis Elder

Robots seem to have great therapeutic value for patients with autism spectrum disorders. But their usefulness derives from a potentially problematic source: their appealingly friendly presence, which can lead patients to think of them as friends, or even to prefer their companionship to that of human beings. In this chapter, an analogy between false friends and counterfeit currency is leveraged to explore a potential moral hazard posed by these therapeutic robots. An objection from the subjective nature of the value of friendship is raised, and refuted by an appeal to the importance of cultivating social capabilities. I conclude that the moral hazard can be mitigated by careful design and responsible use, and that these therapies offer genuine promise. But I argue that we must tread with caution when using robots in therapeutic applications where the appearance of friendship is liable to arise.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Tingting Hu ◽  
Yinmiao Dong ◽  
Caixia He ◽  
Mingyi Zhao ◽  
Qingnan He

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a kind of neurodevelopmental disorder with rapidly increasing morbidity. In recent years, many studies have proposed a possible link between ASD and multiple environmental as well as genetic risk factors; nevertheless, recent studies have still failed to identify the specific pathogenesis. An analysis of the literature showed that oxidative stress and redox imbalance caused by high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are thought to be integral parts of ASD pathophysiology. On the one hand, this review aims to elucidate the communications between oxidative stress, as a risk factor, and ASD. As such, there is also evidence to suggest that early assessment and treatment of antioxidant status are likely to result in improved long-term prognosis by disturbing oxidative stress in the brain to avoid additional irreversible brain damage. Accordingly, we will also discuss the possibility of novel therapies regarding oxidative stress as a target according to recent literature. On the other hand, this review suggests a definite relationship between ASD and an unbalanced gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota (i.e., GIT dysbiosis). A variety of studies have concluded that the intestinal microbiota influences many aspects of human health, including metabolism, the immune and nervous systems, and the mucosal barrier. Additionally, the oxidative stress and GIT dysfunction in autistic children have both been reported to be related to mitochondrial dysfunction. What is the connection between them? Moreover, specific changes in the GIT microbiota are clearly observed in most autistic children, and the related mechanisms and the connection among ASD, the GIT microbiota, and oxidative stress are also discussed, providing a theory and molecular strategies for clinical practice as well as further studies.


2007 ◽  
Vol 161 (4) ◽  
pp. 406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth B. Caronna ◽  
Marilyn Augustyn ◽  
Barry Zuckerman

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aida A Harutyunyan ◽  
Hayk A Harutyunyan ◽  
Konstantin B Yenkoyan

Abstract Background Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction and restricted-repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. ASD is generally associated with chronic inflammatory states, which are linked to immune system dysfunction and/or hyperactivation. The latter might be considered as one of the factors damaging neuronal cells. Several cell types trigger and sustain such neuroinflammation. Methods In this study, we traced different markers of immune system activation on both cellular (immune cell phenotypes) and mediatory levels (production of cytokines) alongside adverse hematology and biochemistry screening in a group of autistic children. In addition, we analyzed the main metabolic pathways potentially involved in ASD development – energy (Krebs cycle components), porphyrin and neurotransmitter metabolism. Several ASD etiological factors like heavy metal intoxication and risk factors – genetic polymorphisms of the relevant neurotransmitters and vitamin D receptors were also analyzed. Finally, broad linear regression analysis allowed us to elucidate the possible scenario that led to the development of chronic inflammation in ASD patients. Results Our data strongly support the lead induced, VDR Taq and MAO-A associated mitochondrial dysfunction, and CD4 + CD3 + T-cell dependent immune system activation and chronic inflammation as the key pathogenetic events in autism spectrum disorders. Moreover, our data supports the CD4 + CD3 + T-cell dependence of mitochondrial dysfunction development in ASD patient reported in our previous study. Limitations Difficulties to obtain target biological material (in this case cerebrospinal fluid, CSF) from autistic children under the age of 6 years and the small population of such patients limited our data from the qualitative and quantitative points of view. Nevertheless, the huge range of complex and target measurements has done partially overlap this flaw. Conclusions We come to the conclusion that redox-immune cross-talk is considered a main functional cell damaging factor in ASD patients.


Author(s):  
Shigeru Ikuta ◽  
Chisato Ouchi ◽  
Jinko Tomiyama ◽  
Yayoe Katagiri ◽  
Shoko Hoshi ◽  
...  

Original teaching materials with dot codes were created for use with autistic children with intellectual and expressive language disabilities. One of the authors (S. I.) created “Post-it” sticker icons on which dot codes were printed and shared these with teachers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Each sticker icon was linked with up to four multimedia mediums of expression, such as a movie, in addition to up to four voices/sounds. Touching a dot code icon with a speaking-pen enables audios to be replayed, and touching a dot code icon with a dot-code reader with Bluetooth functionality enables multimedia to be replayed on iOS and Windows OS devices. New software to create self-made teaching materials with dot codes was developed by Gridmark Inc., with the help of author S. I. Basic information on creating original teaching materials using this newly developed software and its use in schools for students with ASD are presented in this chapter.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document