scholarly journals Is It Possible to Educate, Intervene or “Cure” Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Content Analysis of YouTube Videos

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2350
Author(s):  
Irene Lacruz-Pérez ◽  
Pilar Sanz-Cervera ◽  
Gemma Pastor-Cerezuela ◽  
Irene Gómez-Marí ◽  
Raúl Tárraga-Mínguez
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Factual Content ◽  
Youtube Videos ◽  
Practical Implications

YouTube is one of the most well-known and widely accessed websites worldwide, thus having a powerful pedagogical potential. Nonetheless, the quality and the veracity of some YouTube videos are questionable. Doubts regarding the trustworthiness of factual content is a controversial factor that needs to be taken into account, especially when addressing public health issues. For this reason, the main objective of this work is to analyze the content of the most viewed videos in Spanish on YouTube related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To carry out this research, the terms “autism AND education”, “autism AND intervention”, and “autism AND cure” were used (in Spanish). The analysis of these searches results indicated that videos included in the “cure” category are shorter, and less valued by internet users, obtaining the lowest ratings on the “Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool” for audiovisual materials (PEMAT-A/V), in addition to present therapies that are in fact more harmful than videos in other categories. In general, videos containing recommendations for therapies that are harmful are the ones that have received most views, along with the videos that include alternative non-harmful therapies. Practical implications of these findings and recommendations for further research are discussed.

A cross-sectional descriptive analysis of portrayal of autism spectrum disorders in YouTube videos: A short report

Autism ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 263-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica L Bellon-Harn ◽  
Vinaya Manchaiah ◽  
Lekeitha R Morris
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Short Report ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Youtube Videos

Professionals have expressed concerns about the quality of autism-related information available from Internet-based sources. The purpose of this study was to examine the source, content, usability, and actionability of autism spectrum disorder–related information contained in 100 different videos directed to families of children with autism spectrum disorder uploaded to YouTube. Upload sources were identified, and video content was coded. Understandability and actionability of the videos were examined using Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Materials. The collective number of views of the videos was almost 100 million. The length of videos was 691.17 min (i.e. 11.5 h) with the shortest video being 30 s and the longest video being 37.36 min. The YouTube videos related to autism spectrum disorder covered a range of issues, although much of the content was focused on signs and symptoms. No difference in content reporting was noted based on sources for most categories, although differences were noted in some categories (e.g. professionals mentioned diagnosis and resources more frequently). Poor understandability and actionability scores (i.e. below 70%) were reported for all videos regardless of video source. However, the videos generated by the professionals were superior in terms of understandability. Study implications and recommendations for further research are discussed.

scholarly journals “Mom Let’s Go to the Dentist!” Preliminary Feasibility of a Tailored Dental Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Italian Public Health Service

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Narzisi ◽  
Mariasole Bondioli ◽  
Francesca Pardossi ◽  
Lucia Billeci ◽  
Maria Claudia Buzzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Public Health Service ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Medical Setting

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show worse oral health than their peers. Their access to health services is, at present, inadequate: few high-quality interventions have been designed and implemented to improve their care procedures so far. The purpose of this study is to describe an experience of dental care supported by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), for children with ASD in a public health service. In our study, 59 children (mean age 9.9 years; SD = 5.43) participated in the MyDentist project. It integrates classic dental care techniques with new practices for desensitization and fear control, delivered through an enhanced customized ICT-based intervention aiming at familiarizing the child with ASD with the medical setting and procedures. Two questionnaires were filled out by parents to describe the acceptability of the MyDentist experience for their children. Significant results were shown from T0 (before initiating MyDentist) to T1 (after 6 months of the MyDentist experience) regarding improved oral hygiene and cooperation during dental treatments. Families positively assessed the use of ICT support. In conclusion, the project demonstrated acceptability by parents, suggesting that public health dental care and prevention can be successfully implemented without resorting to costly pharmacological interventions (with potential side effects), taking better care of children’s health.

scholarly journals The importance of considering trauma in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: considerations and clinical recommendations

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
Clare Sarah Allely ◽  
Lino Faccini
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Clinical Recommendations ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The area of trauma in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is an important area given the substantial rates of abuse endured by these individuals. However, there are issues with the identification of trauma, understanding how it is perceived, and manifested. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The limited research regarding trauma in ASD is reviewed and gaps are identified. Findings The key findings from the relevant literature are discussed. Practical implications Practical suggestions are outlined for more effective identification of trauma in individuals with ASD. Originality/value To date, there has been relatively little research on trauma and ASD. This paper emphasises the urgent need for attention in this area.

Autism spectrum disorder in the United Arab Emirates: potential environmental links

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-369
Author(s):  
Samuel Virolainen ◽  
Wejdan Hussien ◽  
Sarah Dalibalta
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Breastfeeding Practices ◽  
Public Health Challenge ◽  
Suboptimal Breastfeeding ◽  
Published Research

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been experiencing an increase in global prevalence in recent decades. While many factors could account for this reality, certain environmental links have been shown to contribute to ASD development and etiology. The Middle East has had relatively little published research on ASD etiology although statistics indicate that ASD affects 1 in 146 births in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This review therefore aims to examine potential causes of ASD within the UAE specifically, focusing on environmental links that may contribute to the rise in ASD cases in this population. Significantly, suboptimal breastfeeding practices, high levels of vitamin D deficiency, increased exposure to pollution, pesticides and heavy metals within the UAE may all be potentially important contributing factors to ASD in this population. Our findings support the notion that there are key links between various environmental factors and ASD prevalence in the UAE. The lack of knowledge and much research on ASD within the UAE deeply necessitates further studies on its etiology as it poses a serious public health challenge in the region and globally.

scholarly journals Social Communication and pragmatic skills of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Language Disorder

CoDAS ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Vasconcelos Rocha Hage ◽  
Lidiane Yumi Sawasaki ◽  
Yvette Hyter ◽  
Fernanda Dreux Miranda Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Pragmatic Language ◽  
Developmental Language Disorder ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Social Communicative

ABSTRACT Purpose to assess the pragmatic and social communicative abilities of children with Typical Language Development (TLD), Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD) and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Methods Participants were 40 parents and 29 teachers of 40 children ages between 3 and 6 years. Ten children had DLD, ten had ASD and 20 had typical development. All participants answered to the questionnaire of the “Assessment of Pragmatic Language and Social Communication – APLSC – parent and professional reports – beta research version. Data were submitted to statistical analysis. Results The assessment tool was useful in identifying the difference in performance of children with different social communicative profiles. Conclusion Children with ASD presented social and pragmatic impairments that were more significant than those presented by children with DLD. However, both children with ASD and with DLD presented more social pragmatic difficulties than children with TLD.

scholarly journals Alternative therapies for children’s with autism spectrum disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 2421
Author(s):  
Asvitha Govindaraju ◽  
Preethi Lakshminarayanan ◽  
Sarvesh Sabarathinam ◽  
Haripritha Meganathan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Speech Therapy ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Alternative Therapies ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Integrative Therapy ◽  
Complete Cure

Autism is one of the major public health concerns in children around the world. Sudden behavioral changes and improper communication is considered to be most common public health hazards. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic therapy and music therapies are the most recommended treatment patterns. A complete cure is not achieved by the existing conventional therapies. Patients and caretakers choose alternative therapies like herbs as a final hope in management of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Most of the people are not aware of the drawbacks of alternative therapies. However, the selection of alternative therapies might help in communication balance as well as behavioral changes and speedy recovery. However, not all the alternative therapies lead to complete cure and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns false claims over the chelation therapy practice in ASD since it causes hypocalcaemia. A combination of herbal medicines with conventional treatment is known to have a positive effect in treating ASD children as well as some under-reported adverse reactions. Herbal medication, along with integrative therapy as an adjunctive to traditional treatment, also have an impact in treating children with ASD. Since the majority of the patients/caretakers are not disclosing their complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) use to their respective physicians. Physicians should give extra care and encourage the parents/caretakers to disclose their CAM practice in order to avoid false claim which results in serious adverse effects and life-threatening complications.

scholarly journals Pragmatic Profiles of Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder at the Onset of Speech

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alona Oren ◽  
Esther Dromi ◽  
Sheila Goldberg ◽  
Aviva Mimouni-Bloch
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Early Intervention ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Communicative Intention ◽  
Communicative Functions ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Over Time

Using speech to communicate pragmatic functions is challenging among individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Given the role language plays in developing everyday skills, we traced the unique pragmatic profile of early words, seeking comparison to typically developing (TD) toddlers at similar lexical stages. Twenty-four mother-toddler dyads participated (9 ASD and 15 TD). Dyads were video recorded when toddlers reached a productive lexicon of 40–70 words. These recordings were captured three times during naturalistic interaction and at two consecutive visits with a 2-month interval. Seven thousand three hundred seventy-six productions were analyzed and classified into four communicative intentions (Declaratives, Requests, Objections, and Non-Communicative speech). ASD toddlers were delayed in the emergence of words compared to TD toddlers, with a greater within-group variability (median 28 months, IQR 24.5–35, median 17 months, IQR 17–18, respectively, p < 0.001). In both groups, the most common communicative intention was Declarative. However, the percentage of Declaratives was higher among TD toddlers across visits compared to ASD toddlers. In both groups, most productions were directed toward the communicative partner, but ASD toddlers used Non-Communicative speech more often than TD peers. Non-Communicative speech gradually decreased over time. We conclude that while TD toddlers begin to talk with an already-established knowledge of the main communicative functions of words, ASD toddlers seem to have only a partial understanding and gradually improve communicative use as they expand their lexicon. These findings bear theoretical and practical implications for early intervention in ASD. We suggest that communicative profiles are affected by individual characteristics and by the interaction style.

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