scholarly journals Library Services for Youth with Autism

Author(s):  
Lesley S. J. Farmer

At least 1 in 166 children are born with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but few school libraries provide resources and services explicitly targeting this population. This paper explains the characteristics and educational challenges of children with ASD; and provides ways to create an inclusive library environment that offers a rich variety of resources and services that engage these children. Tips for training library staff relative to ASD are also given.

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-58
Author(s):  
Therese McNamee ◽  
Sandra Patton

Purpose This study aims to investigate teacher perspectives on teaching handwriting to children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and collaboration with occupational therapists. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive design was applied. Purpose-designed surveys were distributed to teachers of children with ASD (aged 4-12 years) in the Republic of Ireland. A response rate of 35 per cent (N = 75) was obtained, with 25 responses analysed using descriptive statistics of closed questions and content analysis of open-ended questions. Findings Of 139 children with ASD, 80 (58 per cent) were reported to have difficulties with handwriting. Teachers reported specific difficulties with pencil grasp, letter formation and task concept among the children with ASD. Fourteen (56 per cent, N = 25) respondents did not give handwriting as homework. Teachers valued occupational therapy advice, individualised programmes and ongoing consultation during implementation. Interest in occupational therapy education regarding handwriting was reported. Practical implications Occupational therapy collaboration to address handwriting difficulties for children with ASD should include involvement in teacher education, coordination of teacher–parent collaboration and the need for involvement in early intervention provision within an emergent literacy framework. Originality/value Handwriting development is challenging for children with ASD. There is limited information on teaching or teacher–occupational therapy collaborative practices to address handwriting difficulties of children with ASD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Jullien

AbstractWe looked at existing recommendations and supporting evidence on the effectiveness of screening young children for autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) for improving short- and long-term outcomes.We conducted a literature search up to the 8th of November 2019 by using key terms and manual search in selected sources. We summarized the recommendations and the strength of the recommendation when and as reported by the authors. We summarized the main findings of systematic reviews with the certainty of the evidence as reported.There are discrepancies among the recommendations given by different institutions on universal screening for ASD in children. Some recommend that all children should be screened with an ASD-specific instrument during well-child visits at ages 18 and 24 months in conjunction with ongoing developmental surveillance and broadband developmental screening; some conclude that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for ASD in young children for whom no concerns of ASD have been raised by their parents or a clinician; and others recommend against universal screening, but for a screening among children with high risks.There is adequate evidence that ASD screening tools applied to children between 12 and 36 months accurately identify those with ASD. There is some evidence showing benefit of early interventions applied to children with ASD, from children identified with developmental concern by their family, teacher or clinicians. We found no evidence on the effectiveness of interventions applied to children with ASD detected through screening.


Author(s):  
Toka Khaled Mohamed ◽  
Reham Abd-elrahman Lofty Amer ◽  
Amr Adel Mohamed Heiba ◽  
Hosam El-din Fathallah Elsawy

Background: Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by causing marked decrease in social interaction and communication, conversation skills. The aim of this work was to explore the psychiatric co-morbidities among children with ASD. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out 55 children less than 18 years old fulfilled criteria for ASD. All patients were subjected to: Psychiatric interviewing and Psychometric tests that included Stanford-Binet test 5th edition, Arabic version of Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia “K-SADS, Arabic version of Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Arabic version of Conner’s Scale for ADHD and Arabic version of Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) (Child and parent versions). Results: The majority of the studied ASD children were males younger than 13 years old, from rural areas, with mild and moderate intellectual disability, and with severe ASD symptoms. There is statistically significant difference between severity of ASD in studied children measured by CARS, and number of co-morbidities. The most prevalent psychiatric co-morbidities among studied              ASD children were anxiety disorders (41.82%), followed by ADHD                                                     (36.36%). There is statistically significant difference between severe form of ASD and psychiatric co-morbidities regarding ADHD, Tic disorder, ODD and elimination disorder, While Social anxiety and GAD were more common among children with milder forms. Among the studied children, the specific phobias, ODD and elimination disorders, were more in younger age groups. While social anxiety and psychotic disorders occurred more frequently with older age groups. GAD, somatization and depression were more frequent with females, while ADHD occurred more with males. Conclusion: Presence of comorbid disorders among children with ASD is the rule rather than exception. Male children had more combined subtype and more severe form of the disorder. The most common comorbid psychiatric disorders with ASD are anxiety disorders and ADHD. The early identification and treatment of ASD and comorbid conditions may reduce the likelihood of impairment and persistence into adulthood.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fábio Dias Nogueira ◽  
Ana Klara Rodrigues Alves ◽  
Barbara Beatriz Lira da Silva ◽  
Ana Kamila Rodrigues Alves ◽  
Marlilia Moura Coelho Sousa ◽  
...  

Introduction: Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by a neurodevelopmental disorder, in which the child has persistent deficits in verbal and / or non-verbal communication, social interaction and behavior. One of the factors related to the cause of ASD are nutritional aspects, such as intestinal dysbiosis. Objective: To analyze the relationship between imbalance in the intestinal microbiota and the pathophysiological characteristics of ASD. Methodology: This is a systematic review, carried out in the Pubmed, SciELO databases, in order to answer the question: what is the relationship between intestinal microbiota imbalance and ASD? 139 articles were found, of which 12 were selected, through the simultaneous crossing between the descriptors “Autistic Disorder”, “Dysbiosis”. Articles written in Portuguese and English published from 2016 to 2021 were inserted. Results/Discussion: Most children with ASD exhibit gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation and diarrhea, and greater intestinal permeability, with major differences in the composition of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Patients with ASD have a lower microbiota diversity in the GIT. However, it is not possible to identify the origin of this change, since children with ASD often have changes in diet and eating behavior, which could alter the microbiota. Conclusion: It is still complex to understand what are the main causes of ASD. The gut-brain axis is an important associated factor both in the etiology and in the clinical manifestations of ASD. The use of diets, together with the modulation of the microbiota, by the use of probiotics and specific antibiotics, are possibilities for promising therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 105134-105146
Author(s):  
Maiza Nogueira Oliveira ◽  
Samia Lima dos Santos ◽  
Slane Frazão De Souza ◽  
José Carlos de Sales Ferreira ◽  
Rebeca Sakamoto Figueiredo

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S433-S434 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Cepedello ◽  
A.S. Adrian ◽  
G.B. LAura ◽  
M.T. Eduardo ◽  
D.U.V. Nieves ◽  
...  

IntroductionDrawing can be a tool to complete the psychodiagnose process, especially in children with expression and verbal problems.The autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) children have problems to describe their feelings and emotions, they can provide us many information drawing their own world.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to discover the psychopathology of children with ASD through their drawings.MethodsA4-sized booklets were given for ASD children from 6 to 16 years to draw an imaginary family (L. Corman), a human figure (Buck) or a free drawing.ResultsIn most of the drawings of ASD children, we could find at least one of the three criteria of ASD: social deficits, communication difficulties and restricted interests.ConclusionsA projective technique as drawing could help us to discover additional information about our patients, specially children and mainly the ones who had problems with the expression of feelings like ASD children.The act of drawing can be used to understand children's struggles, their internal world. Moreover, it could also help the children gain insight and review progress through drawing records.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2009 ◽  
Vol 72 (9) ◽  
pp. 378-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Pengelly ◽  
Phil Rogers ◽  
Kerri Evans

The interrelationship between the home environment, occupations and wellbeing was explored in relation to the lived experiences of three families with a child diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Each family had acquired an extra downstairs room through moving or adapting their home, which they dedicated to their child with ASD. This project used diary records and narrative interviews to gain an in-depth understanding of how the room was used, the meaning that the family attached to this additional space and its impact on their occupational engagement. The findings reflected the complexity of problems experienced by children with ASD and their families. They revealed that dedicated physical space was experienced as important personal, emotional and occupational space for all family members. This study helps to develop a theoretical understanding of the importance of establishing a good fit between individuals with developmental disabilities and their home environment. It argues that space at home influences the behaviour of children with ASD, the stress levels of their parents and the occupational engagement of all members of their family, and emphasises the importance of adequate space at home for children with ASD and their families.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hwan Ing Hee ◽  
Ying Ching Lim ◽  
Tracy Tan ◽  
Sharon Wan ◽  
Olivia Wijeweera ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Transfer into the operating room, onto the operating table and mask induction of anaesthesia are major challenges faced by children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In a pilot study, parents observed that perioperative transfer becomes unsafe and difficult when children with ASD becomes uncooperative. Method A CHILD-KIND CONCEPT mobility system comprising of multi-positioning seat configurations and restraining module was developed with inputs from multi-disciplinary healthcare professionals and parents with children with ASD. To appeal to children and motivate child-machine interaction, the seat configurations and restraining module are designed to take the form of child-friendly, non-threatening, fun and familiar items. The sitting configuration, sitting to supine transformation, the restraint modules resemble racing-car seat, reclining motion of a home massage chair, safety restraints found in airplanes and amusement rides respectively. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in the perioperative patient care, parents of ASD children and children (neurotypical and ASD) experience the use of the system in a non-clinical environment and participated in a survey study. The acceptance of its functionality (HCPs, parents) for perioperative transfer and induction of anaesthesia, rating of the user experience and likes and dislikes of (parents and children) were obtained. Results Thirty-two HCPs, 30 parents and 23 children participated. Majority of parents and HCPs opined the use of the system enables improvement in the management of perioperative movement (90.0% parents, 100% HCPs), safe perioperative movement (86.7% parents, 96.9% HCPs) and promotes ease of anaesthesia induction (76.7% parents, 90.6% HCPs) for uncooperative combative ASD children. Overall, 93.8% HCPs and 86.7% parents would recommend its frequent use in their own practice and their ASD children respectively. Attractiveness and multi-functionality are attributes endorsed by parents and children. Children endorse its use for induction of anaesthesia (73.9%), dental chair (82.6%), intra-hospital transfer (95.7%). Conclusion A child-kind mobility device that integrates appeal with functionality of restraint and multi-positional transformation has a potential to promote safe perioperative movement and ease of induction of anaesthesia in anxious uncooperative ASD children.


2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-235
Author(s):  
Patricia Poleto Monhol ◽  
Juliana Maria Bello Jastrow ◽  
Yasmin Neves Soares ◽  
Nathalya Das Candeias Pastore Cunha ◽  
Micael Colodette Pianissola ◽  
...  

Introduction: Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is part of neurodevelopmental disorders, which are behavioral and cognitive. These symptoms appear according to the child's development, however, most of the time, they present themselves before the age of three, and they may evolve to greater intensities or not. Objective: To analyze the experience of families with children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Methods: Exploratory study with a qualitative approach carried out at the Associação de Pais e Amigos dos Excepcionais (Association of Parents and Friends of the Exceptional/APAE). 46 families and 10 professionals participated in the study. For the analysis of the results, the technique of content analysis proposed by Bardin was used. The research project for this study was approved by the Ethics Committee for Research with Human Beings under opinion No. 3172.942 on February 27, 2019. Results: It was evident that the family is an important instrument for the care of children with ASD and, for this reason, it should be seen in an integrated and not fragmented way in care, thus revealing the need to promote actions that take care of the caregiver and not just of the child itself, because as seen, every process that goes from birth to diagnosis and treatment of the child requires changes that can also bring harm to the health of the family. Conclusion: The experience of families of children with ASD goes through phases of acceptance and adaptation and depends on the interaction and assistance of professionals so that they can, despite life changes, perceive them as important in promoting the child's life from the motor and cognitive interaction with society.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document