scholarly journals Interventions to support parents of pre-school children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. e102101421932
Author(s):  
Maria Zygopoulou ◽  
Eleni Gkiolnta ◽  
Elpis Papaefstathiou ◽  
Kyriaki Sarri ◽  
Christine K. Syriopoulou-Delli
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Parents of children with a recently ASD diagnosis face elevated distress and mental health problems like stress, depression, and anxiety. Lately, few interventions which target directly parents of preschool children well-being have been implemented in some researches. It was conducted a review of studies that empirically tested the effects of different kind of interventions targeting improvements in parents of preschool children with ASD well-being. The objective of this review is to find out the different types of interventions that have been used and the outcomes on parental well-being enhancement. Searching on four databases and following a range of search strategies, a total of 9 studies met inclusion criteria. Findings suggest that in most cases, any type of intervention leads to positive effects on parents’ distress and well-being. However, comparisons and conclusions among the different approaches are difficult to be made, as each of the presented studies follows different methodology. Certainly, more studies have to focus on the parents of preschool children with ASD well-being and take into consideration all the limitations of the studies that are reviewed in this paper. Despite this fact, it is very encouraging that more and more researchers and clinicians are concerned about these kinds of interventions in order families with a child with ASD to get supported appropriately.

scholarly journals Exploring the Participation Patterns and Impact of Environment in Preschool Children with ASD

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (16) ◽  
pp. 5677
Author(s):  
Ghaidaa Khalifa ◽  
Peter Rosenbaum ◽  
Kathy Georgiades ◽  
Eric Duku ◽  
Briano Di Rezze
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Everyday Activities ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
At Home

Participation in everyday activities at home and in the community is essential for children’s development and well-being. Limited information exists about participation patterns of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study examines these participation patterns in both the home and community, and the extent to which environmental factors and social communication abilities are associated with participation. Fifty-four parents of preschool-aged children with ASD completed the Participation and Environment Measure for Young Children and the Autism Classification System of Functioning: Social Communication. The children had a mean age of 48.9 (8.4) months. Patterns of participation were studied using descriptive statistics, radar graphs, and Spearman correlations. Children with ASD participated in a variety of activities at home and in the community, but showed a higher participation frequency at home. Parents identified different barriers (e.g., social demands) and supports (e.g., attitudes) in both settings. There was a moderate positive association between children’s social communication abilities and their levels of involvement during participation and the diversity of activities. This study highlights the importance of social communication abilities in the participation of preschool children with ASD, and the need to support parents while they work to improve their child’s participation, especially within their communities.

scholarly journals Enhancement of Social Communication Behaviors in Young Children With Autism Affects Maternal Stress

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Laister ◽  
Giacomo Vivanti ◽  
Peter B. Marschik ◽  
Johannes Fellinger ◽  
Daniel Holzinger
Keyword(s):  
Social Communication ◽  
Challenging Behavior ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Maternal Stress ◽  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Communication Behaviors ◽  
Children With Asd

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show difficulties in social communication behaviors, emotion regulation and daily living skills, and they frequently present with challenging behaviors. In parents of children with ASD, higher rates of stress and mental health problems have been reported than in parents of either typically developing children or children with other conditions. In this study, we tested whether maternal well-being changes with improved social communicative behaviors of children with ASD receiving early intervention. We examined developmental changes in 72 pre-schoolers and stress levels in their mothers (measured by the Parental Stress Inventory) before and after a 12-month community-based intervention program based on the Early Start Denver Model, a naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention targeting social communication. Multiple regression analyses showed that maternal child-related stress was predicted by changes in children's social communication behaviors (measured with the Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory). Gains in the early social communication behavior domain were the strongest predictor of post-intervention child-related maternal stress, surpassing adaptive behavior, language and non-verbal cognitive gains, and reduction in challenging behavior. These findings support the hypothesis that, in children with ASD, the acquisition of social communication behaviors contribute to improvements in maternal well-being.

scholarly journals Dietary Patterns, Eating Behavior, and Nutrient Intakes of Spanish Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3551
Author(s):  
Julio Plaza-Diaz ◽  
Katherine Flores-Rojas ◽  
María José de la Torre-Aguilar ◽  
Antonio Rafael Gomez-Fernández ◽  
Pilar Martín-Borreguero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Eating Behavior ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Nutrient Intakes ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Eating behavior problems are characteristic of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with a highly restricted range of food choices, which may pose an associated risk of nutritional problems. Hence, detailed knowledge of the dietary patterns (DPs) and nutrient intakes of ASD patients is necessary to carry out intervention strategies if required. The present study aimed to determine the DPs and macro-and micronutrient intakes in a sample of Spanish preschool children with ASD compared to typically developing control children. Fifty-four children with ASD (two to six years of age) diagnosed with ASD according to the Diagnostic Manual-5 criteria), and a control group of 57 typically developing children of similar ages were recruited. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used, and the intake of energy and nutrients was estimated through three non-consecutive 24-h dietary registrations. DPs were assessed using principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis. Children with ASD exhibited a DP characterized by high energy and fat intakes and a low intake of vegetables and fruits. Likewise, meat intake of any type, both lean and fatty, was associated with higher consumption of fish and dietary fat. Furthermore, the increased consumption of dairy products was associated with increased consumption of cereals and pasta. In addition, they had frequent consumption of manufactured products with poor nutritional quality, e.g., beverages, sweets, snacks and bakery products. The percentages of children with ASD complying with the adequacy of nutrient intakes were higher for energy, saturated fat, calcium, and vitamin C, and lower for iron, iodine, and vitamins of group B when compared with control children. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the need to assess the DPs and nutrient intakes of children with ASD to correct their alterations and discard some potential nutritional diseases.

scholarly journals Exploring the use of a humanoid robot to engage children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Desideri
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Humanoid Robot ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Goal Achievement ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

We present a study aimed at exploring whether a humanoid robot may improve the effectiveness of educational interventions targeting children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Preliminary results with three preschool children with ASD indicate that interacting with a humanoid robot facilitate engagement and goal achievement in educational activities.

scholarly journals Low level of physical fitness is an early feature in preschool children with autism (El nivel bajo de la aptitud física es una característica temprana en niños preescolares con autismo)

Retos ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 348-350
Author(s):  
Pedro Ángel Latorre Román ◽  
Míriam Sánchez Salvador ◽  
Jesús Salas Sánchez ◽  
Felipe García Pinillos
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
School Level ◽  
Fitness Level ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Fitness Tests ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Abstract. Background: Physical fitness level is a potent biomarker of health from an early age. Physical activity and Physical fitness have a similar influence on health outcomes including overweight. However, Physical activity and Physical fitness in children with autism spectrum disorders have received little attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate physical fitness in preschool children with ASD. Methods: A total of 31 children, aged 3 to 6 years, participated in this study: 13 children with ASD (Age=50.23±7.62 months, 2 girls and 11boys) and 18 children without ASD (Age=51.33±11.06 months, 4 girls and 14 boys). A fitness test battery was employed. Results: Children with ASD have lower performance in physical fitness tests. However, no significant differences were found in anthropometrics characteristics, physical activity time, screen-based time and physical functioning. Conclusions: Preschoolers with ASD have an early deterioration in physical fitness. Physical activity programs at pre-school level are necessary to stimulate these abilities in children with ASD.Resumen. Objetivo: El nivel de condición física es un biomarcador potente de la salud desde una edad temprana. La actividad física y la aptitud física tienen una influencia similar en la salud, incluyendo el sobrepeso. Sin embargo, el estudio de la actividad física y de la condición física en niños con trastornos del espectro autista (TEA) ha recibido poca atención. El propósito de este estudio fue evaluar la condición física en niños en edad preescolar con TEA. Métodos: En este estudio participaron 31 niños de 3 a 6 años de edad: 13 niños con TEA (edad = 50,23 ± 7,62 meses, 2 niñas y 11 niños) y 18 niños sin TEA (edad = 51,33 ± 11,06 meses, 4 Niñas y 14 niños). Una batería de condición física para niños preescolares fue empleada. Resultados: Los niños con TEA tienen menor rendimiento en las pruebas de condición física. Sin embargo, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en las características antropométricas, tiempo de actividad física, tiempo de uso de pantallas y el funcionamiento físico. Conclusiones: Los niños en edad preescolar con TEA tienen un deterioro temprano en la condición física. Los programas de actividad física a nivel preescolar son necesarios para estimular estas capacidades en niños con TEA.

Disfluency Characteristics Observed in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Report

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura W. Plexico ◽  
Julie E. Cleary ◽  
Ashlynn McAlpine ◽  
Allison M. Plumb
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Young Children With Autism ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Developmental Stuttering

This descriptive study evaluates the speech disfluencies of 8 verbal children between 3 and 5 years of age with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Speech samples were collected for each child during standardized interactions. Percentage and types of disfluencies observed during speech samples are discussed. Although they did not have a clinical diagnosis of stuttering, all of the young children with ASD in this study produced disfluencies. In addition to stuttering-like disfluencies and other typical disfluencies, the children with ASD also produced atypical disfluencies, which usually are not observed in children with typically developing speech or developmental stuttering. (Yairi & Ambrose, 2005).

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.

Handedness in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S214-S214 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Kobylinska ◽  
C.G. Anghel ◽  
I. Mihailescu ◽  
F. Rad ◽  
I. Dobrescu
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Hand Preference ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Left Handedness ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Hand Laterality ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Competing Interest

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have a less definitive hand preference for certain actions as opposed to neurotypical children. Moreover, left-handedness in children with ASD has been associated with more echolalia. The objective was to conduct a screening of potential risk and associated features for autism spectrum disorders, among which the hand preference of the child. The current aim is to compare the perceived handedness of children with autism spectrum disorders with that of children with other psychiatric pathologies.MethodsEight hundred and forty-two parents completed our risk and associated features screening questionnaire. Out of these, 494 answered the question regarding handedness (209 had children diagnosed with ASD). This asked the parents to state how they perceived their child's handedness. An ADOS assessment has been conducted for 170 of the children whose parents were included in the study, based on clinical relevance for the case. The data were analysed using Excel and SPSS 22.0. For the comparisons, Chi2 and the Kruskal–Wallis test were used.ResultsChildren with ASD had more left-handedness (χ2(2) = 12.54, P = 0.002). There were no differences between boys and girls in terms of perceived handedness in any of the groups. There were no differences in the ADOS scores according to the perceived hand laterality (χ2(2) = 0.58, P = 0.74).ConclusionRightward-asymmetry in regions of corpus callosum has been reported to correlate with symptoms severity in ASD. The finding of different perceived handedness in children with ASD versus children with other psychiatric pathologies is useful for designing appropriate, individualized training programs for motor therapy.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Validation of Wearable Sensor Technology to Measure Social Proximity of Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

2021 ◽  
pp. 108835762110282
Author(s):  
Sarah N. Douglas ◽  
Yan Shi ◽  
Saptarshi Das ◽  
Subir Biswas
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Sensor System ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Sensor Technology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Proximity ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

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.

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