scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on the Adaptive Functioning, Behavioral Problems, and Repetitive Behaviors of Italian Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Observational Study

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Martina Siracusano ◽  
Eugenia Segatori ◽  
Assia Riccioni ◽  
Leonardo Emberti Gialloreti ◽  
Paolo Curatolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Adaptive Functioning ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adaptive Skills ◽  
The Impact

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families have represented a fragile population on which the extreme circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak may have doubly impaired. Interruption of therapeutical interventions delivered in-person and routine disruption constituted some of the main challenges they had to face. This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on adaptive functioning, behavioral problems, and repetitive behaviors of children with ASD. In a sample of 85 Italian ASD children (mean age 7 years old; 68 males, 17 females), through a comparison with a baseline evaluation performed during the months preceding COVID-19, we evaluated whether after the compulsory home confinement any improvement or worsening was reported by parents of ASD individuals using standardized instruments (Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (Second Edition), Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist, Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised). No significant worsening in the adaptive functioning, problematic, and repetitive behaviors emerged after the compulsory home confinement. Within the schooler children, clinical stability was found in reference to both adaptive skills and behavioral aspects, whereas within preschoolers, a significant improvement in adaptive skills emerged and was related to the subsistence of web-delivered intervention, parental work continuance, and online support during the lockdown.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 on the adaptive functioning of Italian children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: role of the online intervention.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siracusano Martina ◽  
Segatori Eugenia ◽  
Riccioni Assia ◽  
Gialloreti Emberti Leonardo ◽  
Curatolo Paolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adaptive Functioning ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adaptive Skills ◽  
Baseline Evaluation ◽  
Parental Work ◽  
Italian Children ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This study investigated the impact of lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic on the adaptive functioning, problematic and repetitive behaviors of an Italian sample of preschoolers and schoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We evaluated whether after the compulsory home confinement, in comparison to a baseline evaluation performed during the months preceding COVID-19, any improvement or worsening was reported by parents of ASD individuals using standardized instruments.No significant worsening in the areas explored emerged after the lockdown. Within the older participants, a clinical stability was found concerning both adaptive skills and behavioral aspects. Whereas, within preschoolers a significant improvement in adaptive skills emerged and was related to the subsistence of web delivered intervention, parental work persistency and online support during lockdown.

scholarly journals Sex Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Repetitive Behaviors and Adaptive Functioning

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 325
Author(s):  
Martina Siracusano ◽  
Valentina Postorino ◽  
Assia Riccioni ◽  
Leonardo Emberti Gialloreti ◽  
Monica Terribili ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Adaptive Functioning ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adaptive Skills

Sex differences in restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have been explored with mixed findings. We aimed to investigate sex differences in RRBs through a specific measure—i.e., the Repetitive Behavior Scale Revised (RBS-R)—in a sample of preschool-age and school-age children with ASD. Additionally, we evaluated if RRBs were differently related to adaptive functioning within the male and the female age groups. A sample of 210 ASD individuals (3–18 years; 145 males, 65 females) underwent an in-depth assessment including a cognitive, adaptive functioning evaluation (i.e., the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Second Edition (ABAS-II)) and RRBs assessment (i.e., RBS-R). No significant sex differences on the RBS-R total score or any RBS-R subscale emerged. Within the group of older participants, RRBs were negatively associated with all adaptive skill domains independently from sex and age. Our results suggest a lack of sex differences in RRBs in our sample. Additionally, our findings highlight the possible negative impact of RRBs on adaptive skills in older individuals with autism, emphasizing the need for autistic individuals of both sexes to undergo an early intervention targeting RRBs, in order to improve their adaptive skills.

The effectiveness of sensory integration intervention on the emotional-behavioral problems of children with autism spectrum disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghorban Hemati Alamdarloo ◽  
Hasan Mradi
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Sensory Integration ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Attention Problems ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Autism spectrum disorder is a kind of neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction across multiple contexts, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities. The purpose of this paper is to determine the effectiveness of sensory integration intervention on emotional-behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorder. Design/methodology/approach This research was conducted in a pretest-posttest design with control group. The participants were 30 children with autism spectrum disorder (6–11 years old) who were selected through convenience sampling from among children with autism spectrum disorder in Zeinab center of Isfahan and were randomly divided into two groups of 15 subjects. The children of the experimental group received 14 sessions of sensory integration intervention while the control group did not receive this intervention. To measure emotional-behavioral problems, the Behavior Assessment System for Children-Second Edition was used. To analyze the data, ANCOVA and MANCOVA tests were used. Findings The results showed that sensory integration intervention improves emotional-behavioral problems and its subscales (hyperactivity, aggression, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, somatization, attention problems, learning difficulties, atypicality and withdrawal) in children with autism spectrum disorder. Research limitations/implications Therefore, it can be concluded that sensory integration intervention can be a suitable treatment for reducing sensory problems and improving emotional-behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorder. Originality/value The study of the effect of sensory integration on emotional-behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorder is necessary as a simple and non-side-effect educational and therapeutic method, both as a step to fill the research gap in this field, besides being a cheap and affordable way for improving the various skills of children with autism spectrum disorder for professionals, teachers, parents and educators.

Temperament influences the relationship between symptom severity and adaptive functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 2057-2070
Author(s):  
Vivian Lee ◽  
Eric Duku ◽  
Lonnie Zwaigenbaum ◽  
Teresa Bennett ◽  
Peter Szatmari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Adaptive Functioning ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Symptoms ◽  
Adaptive Functioning Skills ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Temperament is a construct that is relatively stable over time but varies between individuals. Research suggests that children with autism spectrum disorder have a ‘reactive’ temperament profile when compared to peers with or without disabilities. However, our understanding of how temperament varies within children with autism and how it relates to child symptoms and outcomes is limited. This study aimed to (a) explore the variation of individual temperament traits within a sample of school-aged children with autism to determine whether subgroups of children with similar trait profiles emerge and (b) examine whether temperament influences the relationship between autism symptoms and adaptive functioning outcomes. Results revealed that children with autism can be classified empirically into two distinct profiles – ‘Even’ and ‘Reactive’ temperaments. Correlational and hierarchical regression analyses indicated that both temperament profiles and baseline symptom severity predicted adaptive functioning outcomes 1 year later. There was a significant interaction between temperament and symptom severity, suggesting temperament can influence the impact of increasing symptom severity on adaptive functioning skills in children with autism. Study findings highlight the importance of considering temperament in understanding the individual differences that influence the development of daily functioning and developmental outcomes in children with autism. Lay Abstract Temperament is often thought of as behavioural traits that are relatively stable over time but can vary between individuals. Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder are often characterized as having ‘reactive’ and ‘negative’ temperaments when compared to same-aged peers with or without disabilities, which can negatively impact the development of adaptive functioning skills but little is known about variations of temperament between individual children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This study aimed to (a) explore the variation of individual temperament traits within a sample of school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder to determine whether subgroups with similar trait profiles emerge and (b) examine whether temperament influences the relationship between autism symptoms and adaptive functioning outcomes. Results from our dataset suggest that children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder fit under two profiles: ‘even’ and ‘reactive’. Furthermore, our analysis shows that temperament can influence the impact of increasing symptom severity on adaptive functioning skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Study findings highlight the importance of considering temperament when trying to understand the individual differences that influence the development of functioning and developmental outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder.

scholarly journals The symptoms of autism including social communication deficits and repetitive and restricted behaviors are associated with different emotional and behavioral problems

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Hong Tsai ◽  
Kuan-Lin Chen ◽  
Hsing-Jung Li ◽  
Kuan-Hsu Chen ◽  
Chao-Wei Hsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽  
Emotional Symptoms ◽  
Association Patterns ◽  
Different Types

AbstractThe aim of the study was to investigate the associations between symptoms of autism and emotional and behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorder from both caregivers’ and clinicians’ perspectives. Three main findings were found in our study. First, the association patterns were similar in the preschool and school-aged children. Second, different association patterns were found from caregivers’ and professionals’ perspectives. From the professionals’ perspective, only repetitive behaviors were associated with behavioral problems, while from the caregivers’ perspective, all symptoms of autism were associated with emotional and behavioral problems. Third, different types of symptoms of autism were associated with different types of emotional and behavioral problems. For example, from the professionals’ perspective, restricted and repetitive behaviors were only associated with hyperactivity and inattention. From the caregivers’ perspective, social emotion was associated with emotional symptoms, and other symptoms of autism were associated with hyperactivity and inattention, as well as with peer problems. The results of our study provided deeper understanding of the relationships between symptoms of autism and emotional and behavioral problems, and the findings could serve as a reference for intervention planning when clinicians approach children with autism spectrum disorder.

scholarly journals Adaptive Behavior, Emotional/Behavioral Problems and Parental Stress in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Felicia Operto ◽  
Grazia Maria Giovanna Pastorino ◽  
Chiara Scuoppo ◽  
Chiara Padovano ◽  
Valentina Vivenzio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adaptive Behavior ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adaptive Skills ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Severity Levels

Background: The aim of our study was to compare adaptive skills, emotional/behavioral problems, and parental stress among children with different severity levels of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms.Methods: This study included a sample of 88 subjects with ASD (mean age = 6.00 ± 2.70). All subjects underwent standardized neuropsychological tests for the assessment of symptoms of the autism spectrum (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition), adaptive level (The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Survey Interview, 2nd edition), behavioral and emotional problems (Child Behavior CheckList CBCL), and parental stress (Parental Stress Index Short Form-PSI-SF). Non-parametric statistical methods (Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U-test for post hoc analysis) and linear regression analysis were used in this study.Results:Children who had higher severity levels of ASD symptoms had less adaptive functioning; younger children showed more severe symptoms of ASD; older children had better communication skills. The presence of greater adaptive difficulties was related to a greater presence of internalizing problems. An increase in parental stress levels was related to an higher severity of ASD symptoms, fewer adaptive skills, and a greater presence of internalizing and externalizing problems.Conclusion: This study suggests that the adaptive behavior should be considered in order to planning a habilitation intervention in children with autism. It is also important to monitor emotional/behavioral problems and parental stress levels in order to provide parenting support and improve the family quality of life.

Predictors of adaptive functioning in preschool aged children with autism spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Antoinette Hodge ◽  
Kelsie A. Boulton ◽  
Rebecca Sutherland ◽  
Diana Barnett ◽  
Beverley Bennett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adaptive Functioning ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Preschool Aged Children

RELATIONSHIP AMONG SENSORY ISSUES AND REPETITIVE BEHAVIORS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

2020 ◽  
pp. 59-64
Author(s):  
OJS Admin
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sensory Stimuli ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Communication Impairments ◽  
Autism Disorder

Sensory issues and Repetitive Behaviors are the key features of Autism Disorder Syndrome (ASD). This is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by social communication impairments and the occurrence ofrestricted and repeated behavioral habits and desires, including irregular responses to sensory stimuli.

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