Autism screening tests: A narrative review

As screening tests are tools to quantify communication-interactive abilities of speech and language; therefore, to evaluate, screen, diagnose and treat various aspects of one’s abilities, they are necessary. The purpose of this study is to review the existing autism screening tools, their subtests, administration, scoring, and application in clinical and research contexts in children and adults. This study was a review of autism screening tools; hence, an electronic search through databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Medline, SID, and Magiran was performed from 2000 to 2021. The tests were examined in terms of year of publication, duration, age range, assessment method, subtests, and psychometric properties and furthermore, they were reviewed in details. In this study, 19 autism screening tests were evaluated and The Autism Spectrum Quotient was found to have the shortest administration time while The Gilliam Autism Rating Scale had the longest, and the only test that varied in duration was the Autism Screening Instrument for educational planning. Autism screening is a complex issue. Reviewing these articles reveals that some tests have been used more in recent years due to their specialized subtests or easy and fast administration. Prompt testing is extremely crucial especially in emergency situations like the current COVID-19 pandemic the world is struggling with today. A review of speech tone tests shows that the CARS-2 is one of the most widely validated autism assessments.

Predictors of Anxiety in a Sample of Preschoolers with ASD

ObjectiveAnxiety is one of the most prevalent comorbid disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, there is inconsistency in research investigating the predictors of anxiety in children with ASD. Also, most studies have focused on school-age children so research on anxiety in preschoolers with ASD has been somewhat neglected. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate age, gender, ASD symptom severity, and functional language use as potential risk factors for developing anxiety in this sample.MethodIn total, 95 children with ASD and their caregivers participated in this study. The Gilliam Autism Rating Scale–Second Edition (GARS-2), and The Preschool Anxiety Scale (PAS) were used to gather data. Data were analyzed by Independent sample t-tests, MANOVA, Pearson’s r correlations, the point biserial correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis with the stepwise procedure.ResultsThe findings indicated that anxiety was positively correlated with age and functional language use and negatively with ASD symptom severity. There wasn’t a significant relationship between anxiety and gender.ConclusionThe findings suggest age and ASD symptom severity were significant predictors of anxiety in this sample. In other words, older children and cases with lower symptom severity are more likely to experience anxiety. It is also implied to examine the role of cognitive deficits in the development of anxiety in autism.

The Son-Rise Programme: an intervention to improve social interaction in children with autism spectrum disorder

Background/aims Communication problems are a core feature of autism spectrum disorder. These problems usually lead to challenges in social interactions. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the Son-Rise Programme on improving social interaction and communication in children with autism spectrum disorder. Methods Thirty children with autism spectrum disorder (aged 4–6) were involved in this study. The children were assigned randomly to one two groups, either the 1-week intensive Son-Rise Programme or the control group. They were evaluated using the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale before and after the study. Results The participants in the group of the Son-Rise Programme showed a significant improvement in their social interaction skills compared to the control group (P=0.001). Conclusions The Son-Rise Programme could improve social interaction in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Pengaruh Rhythm Therapy Terhadap Perkembangan Motorik, Sensori Dan Gejala Pada Anak Autism Spectrum Disorder Children (ASD)

Background: Music is long known to have therapeutic effect. It can be a mean to improve adaptive behavior, communication, functioning, and understanding of emotion for ASD Children. In form of rhythm therapy, music is mainly used to stimulate rhythm internalization to achieve better focus and more coordinated movements. In addition to its use to obtain non-musical skills, rhythm therapy can also achieve client occupational performance in playing musical instruments. Method: The design of this study is quasi experiment with control group pretest-posttest design. 30 samples of ASD ages 3 -10 years were divided into groups of intervention using rhythm therapy, and control group using occupational therapy standard for 12 weeks .The Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD), Short Sensory Profile (SSP)and Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS) were administered before and after intervention. Result: The Mann U Whitney result showed TGMD scores showed 0.125 ( p > 0,05), SSP scores showed 0,000 (p< 0,05) and GARS scores showed 0,001 ( p< 0,05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that there was no effect of rhythm therapy on motor of ASD children. There is an effect of rhythm therapy ob sensory of ASD Children, and there is an effect of rhythm therapy on the symptoms of ASD Children