scholarly journals Can Evidence Inform Intervention? Reporting on Research into Auditory Processing Disorders in Children with ASD- Considering Whether Research Into Auditory Integration Training and Filtered Sound Training Has Relevance

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Auditory Integration Training ◽  
Auditory Integration ◽  
Intervention Reporting ◽  
The Impact

Since the 1980’s there has been an acceleration of interest by neuroscientists in the Auditory Problems of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The focus of study has largely shifted from attempting a differential diagnosis between the symptoms of ASD and of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), towards an improved understanding of APD and its impact on the lives and wellness of people with this disorder. A large amount of research data has accumulated, and sheds light on the manner in which auditory brain potentials of children with ASD differ from those of the neurotypical learner. This article will offer a summarised overview of this data, and will discuss how this body of evidence is informing and directing our intervention strategies, both clinical and educational. The author will further summarise the most recently published research papers on the impact of Auditory Integration Training (AIT)– the Bérard Method (also named Filtered Sound Training - FST), The statistical significance and implications of this data for the planning of intervention programmes to remediate auditory problems of children with ASD will be discussed. In conclusion some new insights into the breadth of the impact of auditory processing problems on the social, emotional, learning, language and well-being of children with ASD will be mentioned.

scholarly journals Grief Experiences in Family Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (23) ◽  
pp. 4821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Bravo-Benítez ◽  
María Nieves Pérez-Marfil ◽  
Belén Román-Alegre ◽  
Francisco Cruz-Quintana
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Caregiver Role ◽  
The Impact

The main objective of this study was to analyse the experience of grief and feelings of loss in family caregivers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as the perceived overload from taking on the primary caregiver role. Twenty family caregivers of children with ASD participated. The family members were assessed using an ad-hoc semi-structured interview that addressed the families’ reactions to the diagnosis, implications for daily functioning, and concerns for the immediate and long-term future of their relatives with ASD. The results indicate that family caregivers of children with ASD endure intense and continuous sorrow and grief due to the impact that having and caring for a child with these characteristics has on all aspects of their lives. These data highlight the importance of creating support and intervention programmes and services focused on the feelings and manifestations of ambiguous grief that occur in these family members, in order to improve their well-being and quality of life and reduce caregiver role overload.

scholarly journals A wearable heart rate measurement device for children with autism spectrum disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Fioriello ◽  
Andrea Maugeri ◽  
Livio D’Alvia ◽  
Erika Pittella ◽  
Emanuele Piuzzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Free Play ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Measurement Device ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by early impairment in social and communication domains and autonomic nervous system unbalance. This study evaluated heart rate (HR) as a possible indicator of stress response in children with ASD as compared to children with language disorder (LD). Twenty-four patients [mean age = 42.62 months; SD = 8.14 months,12 with ASD (10 M/2F) and 12 with LD (8 M/4F)] underwent clinical [Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, second edition (ADOS-2)] and physiological evaluation (HR monitoring) during five interactive activities, while wearing an HR measurement device. IQ (ASD:IQ = 103.33 ± 12.85 vs. LD:IQ = 111.00 ± 8.88, p = 0.103) and fluid reasoning on the Leiter-R Scale were within the normal range in all subjects. Increased HR during the third activity (ADOS-2 bubble play) significantly correlated with autistic symptoms (r = 0.415; p = 0.044), while correlations between ADOS-2 total score and HR during the first activity (ADOS-2 free play; r = 0.368; p = 0.077), second activity (Leiter-R figure ground subscale; r = 0.373, p = 0.073), and fifth activity (ADOS-2 anticipation of a routine with objects; r = 0.368; p = 0.076) did not quite reach statistical significance. Applying a linear regression model, we found that the ADOS-2 total score significantly influenced HR variations (p = 0.023). HR monitoring may provide a better understanding of the stress-provoking situations for children with ASD. Furthermore, it could help clinicians detect the impact of the stressful condition on the autistic core and adress treatment strategy.

scholarly journals The association of auditory integration training in children with autism spectrum disorders among Chinese: a meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Li ◽  
Ling Li ◽  
Guimei Li ◽  
Zhongtao Gai
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Auditory Integration Training ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Auditory Integration

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported an inconsistent relationship about the auditory integration training (AIT) in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) among Chinese. The current study was to investigate the efficacy of AIT for children with ASD compared with those in control group by using meta-analysis. Relevant trials published were identified by an electronic search of PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE, WanFang, CNKI, and SinoMed databases up to December 31, 2017. Outcome of interest included childhood autism rating scale (CARS), autism behavior checklist (ABC), intelligence quotient (IQ), and autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC). Standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated using a random-effect model. Thirteen RCTs with 976 children with ASD were included for analysis. The pooled SMD showed that children with ASD had significantly lower ABC scores [summary SMD = −0.58, 95%CI = −0.79 to −0.38] and ATEC scores [summary SMD = −0.75, 95%CI = −1.05 to −0.45] in AIT group compared with that in control group. The analysis of pooled statistics put forward AIT could increase the IQ score when compared with that in control group [summary SMD = 0.59, 95%CI = 0.41–0.77]. A negative association was found about CARS scores between AIT group and control group. No publication bias was found and no single study had essential effect on the pooled results. In conclusions, AIT can reduce the score of ABC and ATEC and can increase the IQ score among children with ASD in Chinese. Therefore, it is recommended for Chinese children with ASD to receive AIT.

scholarly journals Review of Cognitive Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Performance on Six Subtests on Four Versions of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mizuho Takayanagi ◽  
Yoko Kawasaki ◽  
Mieko Shinomiya ◽  
Hoshino Hiroshi ◽  
Satoshi Okada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Intelligence Scale ◽  
Cognitive Characteristics ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThis study was a systematic review of research using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to examine cognitive characteristics of children with ASD beyond the impact of revisions based on WISC and diagnostic criteria changes. The classic “islets of ability” was found in individuals with full-scale IQs < 100. The “right-descending profiles” were observed among high IQ score individuals. High levels on the Block Design and low Coding levels were consistently found regardless of the variation in intellectual functioning or diagnosis. This review identified patterns of cognitive characteristics in ASD individuals using empirical data that researchers may have previously been aware of, based on their experiences, owing to the increased prevalence of ASD.

‘You don’t look autistic’: A qualitative exploration of women’s experiences of being the ‘autistic other’

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132199372
Author(s):  
Kate Seers ◽  
Rachel C Hogg
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Social Expectations ◽  
Autism Spectrum Condition ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Spectrum Condition ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experiences Of Women

There is currently a paucity of literature exploring the experiences of women on the autism spectrum. It is imperative research is conducted to capture the experiences of women on the autism spectrum and ensure appropriate support is provided to this cohort. Drawing upon a social constructionist framework, this qualitative research study sought to understand how psychological and socio-cultural constructions of autism spectrum condition and gender influence the well-being of women on the autism spectrum. Eight participants engaged in a semi-structured interview, with thematic analysis conducted to demonstrate the impact of gender roles and social expectations on the women’s identity and autism spectrum condition expression. The research highlighted the changing understandings of autism spectrum condition across a woman’s lifespan and the process and impact of resisting hegemonic autism spectrum condition categorisation. The findings demonstrate that social constructions of gender and stereotypical understandings of autism spectrum condition, which prioritise a deficit, medical model, have significant consequences for women’s well-being and subjectivity. The women experienced challenging formative years, but with diagnosis and the evolution and acceptance of their identities, they were able to resist negative narratives of autism spectrum condition, embrace their strengths and develop adaptive coping strategies. It is hoped this article generates insights for societal and clinical recognition to better support women on the autism spectrum. Lay abstract Most autism spectrum condition research addresses the neurological and biological causes of autism spectrum condition, focusing upon deficits associated with autism spectrum condition and behavioural interventions designed to minimise these deficits. Little is known about the lived experiences of adult women on the autism spectrum and how they navigate social expectations around gender, autism spectrum condition and gendered understandings of autism spectrum condition. The lived experiences of eight women on the AS will be shared here, with attention to how gendered expectations influence women’s experiences of autism spectrum condition, their sense of self and well-being. Findings showed these women struggled to reconcile the expectations of others, particularly early in life. The women had difficultly conforming to stereotypical ideals of femininity, yet as they aged, they felt less need to conform, valuing their unique style and behaviours. The women also rejected deficit-oriented descriptions of autism spectrum condition generated by the medical community, preferring to focus on their strengths and unique characteristics. It is hoped this article helps psychologists and the wider community to understand and meet the needs of women on the AS.

scholarly journals Savouring as an Intervention to Decrease Negative Affect in Anxious Mothers of Children with Autism and Neurotypical Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 652
Author(s):  
Ariel Pereira ◽  
Atiqah Azhari ◽  
Chloe Hong ◽  
Gerin Gaskin ◽  
Jessica Borelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Positive Experience ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Mother Child Relationships ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
The Individual

Savouring is an emotion regulation strategy and intervention that focuses on the process of attending, intensifying and prolonging positive experiences and positive affect associated with these memories. Personal savouring involves a reflection on positive memories that are specific to the individual and do not involve others. In contrast, relational savouring entails reflecting on instances when people were responsive to the needs of their significant others. Such interventions hold potential benefits in enhancing positive affect (PA) and reducing negative affect (NA) for both parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and parents of neurotypical children. Adults with greater symptoms of generalised anxiety have been found to have less PA and more NA. However, no study has investigated the effects of a mother’s anxiety symptoms on the efficacy of savouring in enhancing PA and reducing NA. Thus, this paper combined personal and relational savouring to investigate whether savouring may enhance PA and reduce NA of a pooled sample of mothers of neurotypical children and mothers of children with ASD. 52 mothers of neurotypical children and 26 mothers of children with ASD aged 3–7 years old were given a series of questionnaires and randomly assigned to either relational savouring or personal savouring conditions. In relational savouring, mothers were asked to reflect upon a shared positive experience with their child while in the personal savouring condition, a personal positive experience was recalled. Across mothers of children with ASD and neurotypical children, findings suggest that savouring leads to a decrease in NA (p < 0.01) but not increases in PA. Similarly, mothers with higher levels of anxiety experience a greater decrease in NA (p < 0.001) compared to mothers with lower levels of anxiety post-savouring. This study proposes that a brief savouring intervention may be effective among mothers of preschoolers. As lower levels of negative affect is linked to healthier psychological well-being, mothers might be able to engage in more effective and warm parenting after savouring exercises, which would cultivate positive mother-child relationships that benefit their children in the long-term.

Subjective Fatigue in Children and Adults

2018 ◽  
pp. 184-208
Author(s):  
Saransh Jain ◽  
Suma Raju
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Direct Link ◽  
Physical Fatigue ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Auditory Cognition ◽  
The Impact

Fatigue is a common yet poorly understood topic. The psychological, physiological, social, emotional, and cognitive wellbeing of a person may be affected due to fatigue. Despite a century of research in understanding the effect of fatigue on human systems, there is no concrete explanation as how fatigue affects the perception of speech. Fatigue impairs auditory cognition and the reduced cognitive abilities further increase mental and physical fatigue. Since cognition is markedly affected in individuals experiencing mental fatigue, its consequences are widespread. According to the top-down approach of auditory processing, there is a direct link between cognition and speech perception. Thus, in the present chapter, the influence of fatigue on perception is reviewed. It is noted that the impact of fatigue on cognition and quality of life is different for children and adults. Training in music, meditation, and exposure to more than one language are some of the measures that help to reduce the effect of fatigue and improve cognitive abilities in both children as well as in adults.

scholarly journals Investigating SOcial Competence and Isolation in children with Autism taking part in LEGO-based therapy clubs In School Environments (I-SOCIALISE): study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e030471
Author(s):  
Danielle Varley ◽  
Barry Wright ◽  
Cindy Cooper ◽  
David Marshall ◽  
Katie Biggs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Skills ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
School Level ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
The Social

IntroductionSocial skills training interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) typically focus on a skills deficit model rather than building on existing skills or encouraging the child to seek their own solutions. LEGO-based therapy is a child-oriented intervention to help improve social interactional skills and reduce isolation. The therapy is designed for school-age children with ASD and uses group-based play in a school setting to encourage peer relationships and social learning. Despite the reported potential benefits of LEGO-based therapy in a prior randomised controlled trial (RCT) and its adoption by many schools, the evidence to support its effectiveness on the social and emotional well-being of children with ASD is limited and includes no assessment of cost-effectiveness.Methods and analysisThis multicentre, pragmatic, cluster RCT will randomise 240 participants (aged 7–15 years) with a clinical diagnosis of ASD to receive usual care or LEGO-based therapy with usual care. Cluster randomisation will be conducted on a school level, randomising each school as opposed to each individual child within a school. All prospective participants will be screened for eligibility before assenting to the study (with parents giving informed consent on behalf of their child). All participants will be followed up at 20 and 52 weeks after randomisation to assess for social, emotional and behavioural changes. The primary outcome measure is the social skills subscale of the Social Skills Improvement System completed by a teacher or teaching assistant associated with participating children at the 20-week follow-up time point.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been obtained via the University of York Research Ethics Committee. The results of the trial will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and will be disseminated to participating families, education practitioners and the third sector including voluntary and community organisations.Trial registration numberISRCTN64852382; Pre-results.

Effect of Meditation on Social/Emotional Well-Being in a High-Performing High School

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 2156759X2094063
Author(s):  
Jane E. Bleasdale ◽  
Margaret C. Peterson ◽  
Sanford Nidich
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
School Counselors ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
High Performing ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact

This study explored the impact of a meditation program on stress, anxiety, and depression in a high-performing high school. Using a randomized controlled design with 52 students, the study took place over 4 months. Students participated in Transcendental Meditation (treatment) or silent reading (active control) twice daily. We observed significant reductions in perceived stress ( p = .040), anxiety ( p = .028), anger ( p = .047), depression ( p = .024), and fatigue ( p = .075), and improvement in self-esteem ( p = .054). The program has important implications for school counselors because of the impact on social/emotional well-being.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document