scholarly journals Examining US Public Early Intervention for Toddlers With Autism: Characterizing Services and Readiness for Evidence-Based Practice Implementation

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aritz Aranbarri ◽  
Aubyn C. Stahmer ◽  
Meagan R. Talbott ◽  
Marykate E. Miller ◽  
Amy Drahota ◽  
...  

As the rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) increase and early screening efforts intensify, more toddlers with high likelihood of ASD are entering the United States' (US') publicly funded early intervention system. Early intervention service delivery for toddlers with ASD varies greatly based on state resources and regulations. Research recommends beginning ASD-specific evidence-based practices (EBP), especially caregiver-implemented intervention, as early as possible to facilitate the development of social-communication skills and general learning. Translating EBP into practice has been challenging, especially in low-resourced areas. The main goal of this study was to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of public early intervention system structure, service delivery practices, and factors influencing EBP use for children with ASD in the US. Participants (N = 133) included 8 early intervention state coordinators in 7 states, 29 agency administrators in those states, 57 early intervention providers from those agencies, and 39 caregivers of children with ASD receiving services from those providers. Online surveys gathered stakeholder and caregiver perspectives on early intervention services as well as organizational factors related to EBP implementation climate and culture. Stakeholders identified key intervention needs for young children with ASD. In general, both agency administrators and direct providers reported feeling somewhat effective or very effective in addressing most needs of children with ASD. They reported the most difficulty addressing eating, sleeping, family stress, and stereotyped behaviors. Data indicate that children from families with higher income received significantly higher service intensity. While administrators and providers reported high rates of high-quality caregiver coaching (>60%), caregivers reported low rates (23%). Direct providers with more favorable attitudes toward EBP had greater EBP use. In turn, provider attitudes toward EBP were significantly associated with implementation leadership and culture at their agency. Results suggest that publicly funded early intervention programs in the US require additional resources and training for providers and leaders to support improved implementation climate and attitudes toward ASD EBPs. Results also suggest that more state system support is needed to increase use of ASD-specific EBP use, including high-quality caregiver coaching, to better serve toddlers with ASD. Recommendations for implementation strategies are addressed.

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 9-13
Author(s):  
Tanzida Zaman ◽  
Dhananjoy Das ◽  
Mahmood A Chowdhury

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is becoming global problem as it is being diagnosed very frequently amongst the non communicable diseases. Lack of socialization, communication skill and behavioural abnormality are the main problem belongs to the disease. Cornerstone of the management is based on early intervention program directed to improve the communication and socialization skill. In Bangladesh different early intervention strategies are implicated adopting from evidence based practices in the developed countries. To determine the effect of early intervention program on the improvement of socialization and communication skills of children with ASD who attended an early intervention programme at the Institute of Autism and Child Development, Chattagram Maa Shishu -O-General Hospital.Methods: This is a quasi experimental study carried out at Institute of Autism and Child Development, Chattagram Maa Shishu-O-General Hospital from January 2015 to December 2015. Children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) aged 1-5 years enrolled as study subjects which is fifty in number. Screening of ASD was carried out by psychological tools like M—Chat (1-3yrs) & ASD assessment scale (> 3yrs). Diagnosis was confirmed by ADOS-G (Autism Diagnosis Observation Schedule- Generic). Internvention was provided on a 1:1 basis which was adopted from various evidence based practices including the ‘More Than Words’. Intervention were given for three subsequent session in one month interval. Level of communications were measured after intervention and compared with pre intevvention level.Results: Significant improvements has been observed in overall level of communication and activities of daily living which included eye contact, attention, joint attention, turn taking, toilet training.Conclusion: A well planned early intervention programme for children with ASD can speed up the social communication development in such a way that gives rise to a hope of mainstreaming these children in future.Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.16 (2); July 2017; Page 9-13


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faihan Alotaibi ◽  
Nabil Almalki

<p class="apa">The present study sought to examine parents’ perceptions of early interventions and related services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Saudi Arabia. In this study a survey was distributed to a sample of 80 parents with children who have ASD. Parents also were asked open-ended questions to enable them to provide suggestions. The findings indicate that parents have varying perceptions of early interventions and related services. However, they seem to agree that these services are important in assisting their children. Accordingly, parents have suggested that the government needs to increase these services by providing more centers for children with ASD in Saudi Arabia, providing more specialists to deal with children with ASD, promoting inclusion in regular schools and providing more information on early intervention.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Jena McDaniel ◽  
C. Melanie Schuele

Purpose Professionals face substantial challenges determining whether and when children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are not yet using spoken words will use spoken language as their primary means of communication. This tutorial provides speech-language pathologists with practical guidance on how to measure expressive language predictors for progress monitoring and making intervention decisions for children with ASD who are preverbal. Method This tutorial is a repackaging effort that seeks to make the research accessible to clinicians wishing to implement evidence-based practice. Results We describe intentional communication, consonant inventory in communication acts, and responding to joint attention as particularly valuable prelinguistic skills to measure. We explain how and when to efficiently assess progress using published assessments periodically and using brief (5-min) communication samples for more frequent progress monitoring. Conclusions Communication samples can be used to show how a child performs within a therapeutic setting during teaching (treatment data) and outside of the therapeutic setting (generalization probe data). Both types of data are critical for determining whether the child is exhibiting progress and which aspects of intervention are facilitating progress toward use of spoken words. These recommendations also balance the evidence for best practices for progress monitoring and the demands on clinicians' time and effort. To encourage the measurement of prelinguistic skills of children with ASD who are preverbal in clinical practice, we include (a) example data collection documents, (b) examples with hypothetical data and interpretation, and (c) guidance on communication sampling procedures. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.13557836


Author(s):  
Mª Araceli Sánchez Raya

Abstract.It is undeniable the importance of early detection in all developmental disorders, in children with ASD as well, for an early intervention in children and their families. An early intervention is a very important predictor in their functional recovery. That, put together with the growing incidence and prevalence of this kind of disorders, makes of our study field a matter of an increasing scientific and theoretical interest. In the current paper we deal with earlydetection, evaluation and intervention in children between 0 and 6 years with autism spectrum disorders in andalusian health care system.Resumen.Es innegable la importancia que tiene la detección precoz de cualquier trastorno del desarrollo –y por ende del TEA- para la intervención temprana con los menores y sus familias. Una intervención temprana constituye un importante predictor en la recuperación funcional de estos menores, y esto unido a la creciente incidencia y prevalencia de estos trastornos, hace de nuestro objeto de estudio un tema creciente de gran interés científico y teórico. En la presente comunicación abordamos el circuito de detección, evaluación e intervención temprana en niñas y niños de 0 a 6 años con trastorno del espectro autista en la sanidad andaluza.


Author(s):  
A.B. Sorokin ◽  
E.Yu. Davydova ◽  
A.V. Khaustov

Timely identification of appropriate intervention is prerequisite for amelioration of deficits in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is a complicated choice because of the high heterogeneity of ASD manifestations and insufficient state of knowledge about intervention efficiency. The article introduces an approach that will allow professionals who plan educational and psychological interventions for children with ASD and caregivers to assess the methods in terms of their congruence with the evidence-based criteria. Such assessment is conducted based on published experimental data. The article presents characteristics that are worth considering while making an informed decision about the preferred intervention. They include formal features, such as sample sizes, study length, compliance with the target group description, and validity, as well as subjective criteria that enable appropriate choice of intervention at the individual level.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Feng ◽  
Jun Yu ◽  
Wu Li ◽  
Tao Li ◽  
Quanrui Jiang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by repetitive stereotypical behaviour and communication disorders. Currently, it lacks a specific clinical treatment method. Pediatric Tuina is a recent therapy in traditional Chinese medicine; however, there have been studies on the treatment of children with ASD by Tuina. Nonetheless, it remains uncommon given the lack of large-scale evidence-based medical studies. This study aims to compare the efficacy of Tuina and conventional treatment in children with ASD. Methods Eligible children will be randomly divided into the pediatric Tuina plus conventional treatment group or conventional treatment group based on a random table at a ratio of 1:1. Effectiveness will be evaluated using a scale; moreover, the primary outcome will be the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. The secondary outcome will be the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist. All participants will be assessed on the scale by a third party not involved in the study. Baseline values of the participants will be determined at the registration time. Outcomes will be evaluated after the 30th treatment session. The follow-up period will last for 6 post-treatment months. Discussion This study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Tuina in ASD treatment, which could provide reliable evidence-based findings to improve clinical treatment. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (CHICTR), ChiCTR2000040452. Registered on 28 November 2020


Author(s):  
Janina Kitzerow ◽  
Karoline Teufel ◽  
Katrin Jensen ◽  
Christian Wilker ◽  
Christine M. Freitag

Abstract. Abstracts: Objective: In current international research, early intervention in children with autism-spectrum disorder (ASD) focuses on naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions (NDBI). The manualized Frankfurt Early Intervention Program for preschool-aged children with ASD (A-FFIP) implements NDBI principles within a low-intensity approach of 2 h intervention/week. The present case-control study established effect sizes of change in autistic symptoms, comorbid behavioral problems as well as IQ after one year. Methodology: An intervention group (N = 20; age: 3.4–7.9 years) and a treatment-as-usual control group (N = 20; age: 3.2–7.3 years) of children with ASD were matched for developmental and chronological age. The outcome measures used were the ADOS severity score, the Child Behavior Checklist, and cognitive development. Results: After one year, the A-FFIP group showed a trend towards greater improvement in autistic symptoms (η2 = .087 [95 %-CI: .000–.159]) and significantly greater improvements in cognitive development (η2 = .206 [CI: .012–.252]) and global psychopathology (η2 = .144 [CI: .001–.205]) compared to the control group. Conclusion: The efficacy of A-FFIP should be established in a larger, sufficiently powered, randomized controlled study.


Author(s):  
Fiorentina Angjellari-Dajci ◽  
William F. Lawless ◽  
Nitin Agarwal ◽  
Ron Oberleitner ◽  
Barbara Coleman ◽  
...  

The prevailing system for diagnosis, treatment, and management of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) in the US—the in-person service delivery—has been unable to address the increase in the demand for services and societal costs for those served, and the unattained societal benefits for those not diagnosed early enough or not offered early and intensive behavioral interventions. The authors discuss new developments in telehealth for diagnostic evaluation and ASD treatment in the US. They build a theoretical model to capture telehealth system’s potential in reaching ASD screening market equilibrium under the constraint of full utilization of provider hours and other stylized facts. The authors estimate the market demand for ASD screening in the US for year 2011. They present their progress with a case study that focuses on the potential impacts of increased access to care of technology-based telehealth on the Georgia-South Carolina border. The authors use social network analysis to envision the future of telehealth service delivery for ASDs.


Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is one of five developmental disorders, it is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder affecting the ability of the person to socialize, communicate along with stereotype behaviours. ASD can affect any person irrespective of the gender, caste, creed or religion. Intervention means doing something, taking action or using a treatment to try to improve a particular condition or a problem. When it comes to ASD, there are many kinds of interventions offered. Depending on the type, they can involve the child, the parent or both. They might be one-off events or involve many sessions spread over years. Interventions are based on different theories about what causes ASD. The current study which is a part of the PhD tries to study the perception of special teachers on the current Intervention strategies for children with ASD. The study was conducted by circulating the questionnaire developed to the special teachers (n=40) working for ASD in the country. The participants consisted of special teachers having Diploma, Degree) and Post Graduate degree in the field of ASD (n=40). Descriptive statistics; frequency, percentages, and chi square tests were done using SPSS. The results indicated that teachers accepted the need for evidence based intervention strategies for training children with ASD.


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