Parents, Peers, and Musical Play: Integrated Parent-Child Music Class Program Supports Community Participation and Well-Being for Families of Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Opportunities for meaningful community participation may influence the development and well-being of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families as well as impact how community members perceive and understand ASD. In the current study, we aimed to understand how a parent-child integrated music class program could be used to promote community participation and family well-being. Caregivers of preschoolers (2-5 years of age) with ASD and those of peer children with typical development were interviewed about their participation in a parent-child integrated music class program. Thematic analysis of interviews revealed that all caregivers viewed program participation as positive. Caregivers emphasized increasing connections within families, such as through strengthening parent-child bonds, as well as connections across families, including increased understanding of ASD and sensitivity to the experience of parenting. Many caregivers perceived the class as supporting their parenting and impacting their children’s behavior in meaningful ways. Interview themes were supported by measures of caregiver and child program receipt, including questionnaires about family music engagement throughout their time in the class program and behavioral coding of children’s engagement during music classes. Findings suggest that integrated community experiences such as parent-child music classes may impact whole family well-being, highlighting the value of integrated community participation experiences at the level of the family system. Parent-child music classes may provide a productive and accessible context for supporting integrated community experiences.

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Parent Training Interventions for Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Research and Treatment ◽

10.1155/2014/839890 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Audrée Jeanne Beaudoin ◽

Guillaume Sébire ◽

Mélanie Couture

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Parent Training ◽

Well Being ◽

Good Alternative ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Conclusive Evidence ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Training Interventions ◽

Parent Child Interactions ◽

Parent Child

Background. Now that early identification of toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is possible, efforts are being made to develop interventions for children under three years of age. Most studies on early intervention have focused on intensive and individual interventions. However, parent training interventions that help parents interact and communicate with their toddlers with ASD might be a good alternative to promote the development of their child’s sociocommunicative skills.Objective. This review aims to systematically examine (1) the use of parent training interventions for children with ASD under three years of age and (2) their effects on children’s development, parents’ well-being and parent-child interactions.Methods. Systematic searches were conducted to retrieve studies in which at least one parent was trained to implement ASD-specific techniques with their toddlers (0–36 months old) with a diagnosis of or suspected ASD.Results. Fifteen studies, involving 484 children (mean age: 23.26 months), were included in this review. Only two of them met criteria for conclusive evidence. Results show that parents were able to implement newly learned strategies and were generally very satisfied with parent training programs. However, findings pertaining to the children’s communication and socioemotional skills, parent-child interactions, and parental well-being were inconclusive.

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The thorn in the dyad: A vision on parent-child relationship in autism spectrum disorder

Europe’s Journal of Psychology ◽

10.5964/ejop.v14i3.1453 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 695-709 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Teresa Del Bianco ◽

Yagmur Ozturk ◽

Ilaria Basadonne ◽

Noemi Mazzoni ◽

Paola Venuti

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Parental Stress ◽

Well Being ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Parent Child Relationship ◽

Communication Impairment ◽

Child Relationship ◽

Parents And Children ◽

Parent Child

Parents and children form a family: their characteristics balance personal and family well-being with healthy levels of stress. Research on parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) demonstrated that higher levels of parental stress are associated with communication impairment, a core symptom of ASD. The aim of this article is to discuss the connection between non-verbal communication impairment and parental psychological distress, in families with children with ASD. The interaction between atypical communication and distress of parents likely determines a cascade effect on the parent-child dyad; in fact, it decreases the quality and frequency of interactions, preventing the establishment of a healthy parent-child relationship and leading to a series of collateral problems. To this perspective, guiding the parents to reframe their children’s atypical communicative behaviour can relieve parental stress and re-program the interactional routine. This observation stresses the importance of interventions centred on the dyad, especially during early development and soon after the diagnosis, when the communicative impairment may be extremely severe.

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Neurodivergent Themed Neighbourhoods as A Strategy to Enhance the Liveability of Cities: The Blueprint of an Autism Village, Its Benefits to Neurotypical Environments

Urban Science ◽

10.3390/urbansci2020042 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 42 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eurydice Chan

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Built Environment ◽

Well Being ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Design Guidelines ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Different Populations ◽

Limited Option ◽

Living Environments ◽

And Function

In the next decades, it is expected that there will be a significant number of adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who will continue to strive in the neurotypical environment. Despite the recent rise of developments that deviate from the institutional type of facility, many parents continue to voice their struggle to find safe and appropriate living environments for their adult children. The problem is not just the limited option on where to live, financing a home is also another dilemma. Thus, the challenge to provide appropriate living environments coincide with the need to provide meaningful opportunities that allows them to thrive and function in the society. This paper explores the existing design guidelines through recommendations on how spaces can be articulated by considering the value of savant skills and productive vocational skills for individuals living with ASD. This optimistic approach hopes to enlighten built environment practitioners in designing spaces where different populations can co–exist, particularly those with varied abilities. The environmental needs of ASDs and the proposed spatial interventions also extend its benefits to the well–being of neurotypicals. In addition, the participation of the ASD population in the built environment bridges accessibility and spatial experience. Therefore, designing neurodivergent neighbourhoods can be employed as a strategy to improve and enhance the liveability of urban regions.

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Renaming schizophrenia: 5 × 5

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences ◽

10.1017/s2045796018000586 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (03) ◽

pp. 254-257 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Sinan Guloksuz ◽

Jim van Os

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Well Being ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Long Run ◽

The Social ◽

Technical Features ◽

In The Beginning

AbstractThere had been a long way to go before we felt comfortable about even discussing the issues revolving around the concept of ‘schizophrenia’, let alone reckoning on mere semantic revision. In this editorial, we aim to extend our discussion on the reasons behind the slow death of the concept of ‘schizophrenia’ and the benefits of changing the name and embracing a spectrum approach with an umbrella psychosis spectrum disorder (PSD) category (similar to autism spectrum disorder) that goes further than a mere semantic revision. We attempted to cover the topic of the renaming by providing five most pertinent points categorised under five domains: reasons, signals, challenges, promises and steps for the change. Admittedly, even a modest revision, such as classifying all psychotic disorder categories under an umbrella category of PSD, and abolishing the term schizophrenia requires careful deliberation and some effort in the beginning, but the revision is well worth the effort considering the benefits in the long run. Renaming a particular form of mental suffering should be accompanied by a broader debate of the entire diagnosis-evidence-based-practice (EBP)-symptom-reduction model as the normative factor driving the content and organisation of mental health services that may be detached from patients’ needs and reality, overlooks the trans-syndromal structure of mental difficulties, appraises the significance of the technical features over the relational and ritual components of care, and underestimates the lack of EBP group-to-individual generalisability. Individuals may make great strides in attaining well-being by accommodating to living with mental vulnerabilities through building resilience in the social and existential domains. Changing the name and the concept of ‘schizophrenia’, which goes beyond a mere semantic revision, may become the first step that allows catalysation of the process of modernising psychiatric science and services worldwide.

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Stability and change in resolution of diagnosis among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder: Child and parental contributions

Development and Psychopathology ◽

10.1017/s095457941500067x ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 27 (4pt1) ◽

pp. 1045-1057 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Nurit Yirmiya ◽

Ifat Seidman ◽

Nina Koren-Karie ◽

David Oppenheim ◽

Smadar Dolev

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Well Being ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Maternal Attachment ◽

Child Characteristics ◽

Mothers And Fathers ◽

Mental Age ◽

Parental Characteristics

AbstractThe contribution of change over time in parent and child characteristics to parents’ resolution of child's diagnosis was examined among 78 mothers and fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Children's characteristics (e.g., mental age and severity of symptoms), parental characteristics (e.g., attachment-related anxiety and stress level), and parents’ resolution of their child's diagnosis (resolved vs. unresolved) were examined at Time 1, and reassessed 3 years later at Time 2. Results indicated a deferential contribution of change in parent and child characteristics among mothers and fathers. An increase in child symptom severity and in maternal attachment-related anxiety, as well as longer durations of time since receiving the diagnosis, significantly predicted maternal resolved status at Time 2. Conversely, none of the changes in children's or paternal characteristics predicted paternal resolved status at Time 2. Results are discussed in relation to child and parental contributions to resolution, the differences in the adjustment and well-being of mothers and fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder, parental growth following receiving the diagnosis, and the need for intervention components specific to parental resolution and attachment-related anxiety.

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Parent–Child Interaction Therapy and autism spectrum disorder: Adaptations with a child with severe developmental delays.

Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology ◽

10.1037/cpp0000047 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 68-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Roseanne Lesack ◽

Karen Bearss ◽

Marianne Celano ◽

William G. Sharp

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Developmental Delays ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Parent Child Interaction Therapy ◽

Child Interaction ◽

Parent Child Interaction ◽

Parent Child

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Profiles and Correlates of Parent–Child Agreement on Social Anxiety Symptoms in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders ◽

10.1007/s10803-018-3461-9 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 48 (6) ◽

pp. 2023-2037 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Catherine A. Burrows ◽

Lauren V. Usher ◽

Emily M. Becker-Haimes ◽

Camilla M. McMahon ◽

Peter C. Mundy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Social Anxiety ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Parent Child

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Gastrointestinal concerns in children with autism spectrum disorder: A qualitative study of family experiences

Autism ◽

10.1177/13623613211062667 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136236132110626

Author(s):

Calliope Holingue ◽

Ohemaa Poku ◽

Danika Pfeiffer ◽

Sarah Murray ◽

M. Daniele Fallin

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Well Being ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Quality Healthcare ◽

Gastrointestinal Distress ◽

Gastrointestinal Problems ◽

Verbal Behaviors

Gastrointestinal distress is a prevalent issue in the autism spectrum disorder community, with implications for the person living with autism spectrum disorder and their families. However, the experiences of families caring for a child with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and gastrointestinal symptoms have not been explored to date. We conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews with 12 parents of children with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and gastrointestinal symptoms. Using an inductive analysis approach, drawing on phenomenology, we identified four major themes across interviews. First, parents reported that their child had difficulty verbally communicating the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms, leading parents to rely on bodily signs and non-verbal behaviors to recognize when their child was experiencing gastrointestinal distress (Theme 1). Next, gastrointestinal issues impacted the child’s well-being and the ability to participate in and fully engage in activities (Theme 2), and the family’s well-being (Theme 3). Finally, parents often experienced challenges with seeking accessible and quality healthcare for their child’s gastrointestinal problems (Theme 4). These findings elucidate the incredible toll that gastrointestinal symptoms have on the overall wellness of children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. Lay abstract Gastrointestinal problems are common in the autism spectrum disorder community and may affect both the person with autism spectrum disorder and their families. However, little research is available on the experiences of families who have a child with both autism spectrum disorder and gastrointestinal symptoms. We held one-on-one interviews with 12 parents of children who had both autism spectrum disorder and gastrointestinal symptoms. We analyzed the raw text responses from these interviews and identified four main themes. First, parents shared that their children had trouble verbally communicating when they were experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms (Theme 1). This led parents to use bodily signs, such as changes in the stool, and non-verbal behaviors, such as irritability, to recognize when their child was having gastrointestinal symptoms. Next, gastrointestinal issues affected both the child’s well-being and their ability to attend class and extracurricular or social activities (Theme 2). The gastrointestinal issues also affected the family’s routines, overall well-being, and their ability to go out and do activities together as a family (Theme 3). Finally, parents often had challenges receiving accessible and quality healthcare for their child’s gastrointestinal problems (Theme 4). Together, these findings highlight the enormous burden that gastrointestinal symptoms have on the wellness of children with autism spectrum disorder and their families.

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Mindfulness-Based Interventions and Parent-Child Relationship in Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

10.4018/978-1-7998-8682-2.ch007 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 110-126

Author(s):

Kamlam Gopalkrishnan Iyer

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Indian Subcontinent ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Age Group ◽

Parent Child Relationship ◽

Child Relationship ◽

Relationship Importance ◽

Parent Child

Mindfulness has been noticed in the domain of psychology and neuroscience for the last two decades. With the plethora of studies based on interventional benefits of mindfulness-based techniques in various populations, the present review assesses if parent-child relationship studies effectively use mindfulness-based interventions on parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The children are in the age group of below 5 years. The aspects of ASD, mindfulness techniques, and parent-child relationship importance are explored, albeit briefly. One study could be reviewed and was assessed for its treatment fidelity. The conclusion was based on the need to conduct more mindfulness-based intervention studies for the parent population of children in the younger ages and with ASD. This review recommends such replication of studies on the parents of the Indian subcontinent as well.

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