scholarly journals Evaluating Animal-Assisted Interventions: An Empirical Illustration of Differences between Outcome Measures

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffie van der Steen ◽  
Merel Heineman ◽  
Marloes Ernst
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Parental Reports ◽  
Equine Assisted ◽  
Empirical Illustration

Multiple authors have called for strong empirical evaluations to strengthen the foundation of Animal-Assisted Interventions. Carefully choosing the outcome measures of these studies is important, as choosing the wrong outcomes may lead to a failure to detect effects. The current study therefore compares and contrasts the use of several outcome measures, to assess the effect of an equine-assisted intervention for a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: (1) a semi-structured interview with both parents, specifically designed for children with cognitive disabilities, (2) a general screening instrument filled out by both parents separately, which can be used to assess children’s psycho-social problems, and (3) systematic observations of social and communication skills during the equine-assisted sessions. All instruments indicated an improvement in the participant’s social and communication skills. We found differences between the interview and questionnaires with regard to parents’ perception of aggression regulation and interacting with peers. Differences with regard to parental reports and observations were found for play development and anxiety. The observations provided a detailed view of the child’s development during the intervention, which yielded an interesting hypothesis in terms of the current dose–response discussion in AAI for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

scholarly journals Opinions of mothers regarding the comminication styles of mothers of children with autism spectrum disordersAnnelerin otizm spektrum bozukluğu olan çocuklarıyla kurdukları iletişim biçimlerine ilişkin görüşleri

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 1848
Author(s):  
Burcu Aktaş ◽  
İlknur Çifci Tekinarslan
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Communication Styles ◽  
Communicative Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

The aim of this study is to determine the opinions of the mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which can interact with their children. Phenomenology design, a qualitative research model was used in the study. Research data were collected by obtaining information regarding demographic aspects and by using a 15-item semi-structured interview form designed to identify views of mothers with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on their communication styles with their children. 9 mothers with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) between the ages of 4-6 participated in the study.  The data were analyzed using the content analysis method. Findings of this study showed that children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) expressed gestures, facial expressions, pointing and verbally but they have difficulty expressing themselves. Additionally found that ıf they aren’t express themselves, exhibit problem behaviors. Mothers who have children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), prefer to verbal communication but they have difficulty. Also they organized their communicative behaviors according to the characteristics of their children. The data obtained from the survey results were discussed based on the literature.Extended English abstract is in the end of PDF (TURKISH) file. ÖzetBu araştırmanın amacı, annelerin Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu (OSB) olan çocukları ile kurdukları iletişim biçimlerine ilişkin görüşlerini belirlemektir. Araştırmada nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden olgubilim desenine yer verilmiştir. Araştırma verileri; demografik bilgiler ve annelerin Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu (OSB) olan çocukları ile iletişim biçimlerine ilişkin görüşlerini belirlemeye yönelik 15 sorudan oluşan yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler içerik analizi ile analiz edilmiştir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu, 4-6 yaş arasında Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu (OSB) olan çocuğa sahip 9 anne oluşturmaktadır.  Araştırma sonucunda, Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu (OSB) olan çocukların kendilerini jest, mimik ve sözel olarak ifade ettikleri ve kendilerini ifade ederken zorlandıkları, ifade edemedikleri durumlarda çeşitli problem davranışlar sergiledikleri bulgulanmıştır. Annelerin ise Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu (OSB) olan çocukları ile iletişim kurarken sözel ifadeler tercih ettikleri, çocukları ile iletişim kurarken çeşitli güçlükler yaşadıkları, kendi iletişimsel davranışlarını çocuklarının özelliklerine göre düzenledikleri ve çoğunlukla ev ortamında iletişim kurmayı tercih ettikleri bulgulanmıştır.

CORRECTIONAL PEDAGOGICAL WORK ON THE FORMATION OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (LITERARY REVIEW)

Vestnik ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 269-273
Author(s):  
Ж.С. Олжатаева ◽  
А.М. Рахметова ◽  
А.Ж. Молдакарызова ◽  
Г.А. Тусупбекова ◽  
Б.Б. Аманбай ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Emotional Skills ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

В данной статье проанализированы особенности формирования коммуникативных навыков у детей с расстройством аутистического спектра. Анализ литературы, показал, что у большинства у детей с расстройством аутистического спектра коммуникативные нарушения обусловлены нарушениями социального взаимодействия, трудности с подражанием и имитацией движений по образцу, затруднено опознавание эмоциального состояния других людей. Развитие коммуникативных навыков является одним из важнейших направлений коррекционной работы с детьми с расстройствами аутистического спектра. Обучение делать заявления, комментировать события, задавать вопросы для получения информации, выражать и связывать эмоции, а также навыки реагирования, социального поведения и диалога являются предпосылками социализации детей. Учитывая особенности развития коммуникативных навыков у детей с расстройством аутистического спектра, авторами рассмотрены развивающие методики по формированию коммуникативных навыков у детей с расстройством аутистического спектра, применяемые в коррекционной педагогической работе. Представленные методы коррекции коммуникативных навыков у детей с расстройствами аутистического спектра направлены на формирование основных коммуникативных функций, социально-эмоциональных и диалогических навыков. Известно, что сформированные коммуникативные навыки обеспечивают социальную компетентность, диалогические коммуникативные навыки, взаимодействие и сотрудничество со сверстниками и взрослыми. Таким образом, методы формирования вербальных и невербальных коммуникативных функций, социально-эмоциональных умений и навыков диалога используются для коррекции и развития коммуникативных умений у детей с расстройствами аутистического спектра. This article analyzes the features of the formation of communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. The analysis of the literature showed that in most children with autism spectrum disorder, communication disorders caused by violations of social interaction, difficulties with imitation and imitation of movements on the model, it is difficult to recognize the emotional state of other people. The development of communication skills is one of the most important areas of correctional work with children with autism spectrum disorders. Learning to make statements, comment on events, ask questions for information express and connect emotions, as well as the skills of reaction, social behavior and dialogue are prerequisites for the socialization of children. Taking into account the peculiarities of the development of communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder, the authors consider developing methods for the formation of communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder, used in correctional pedagogical work. The presented methods of correction of communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorders aimed at the formation of basic communication functions, social-emotional and dialogic skills. It known that the formed communication skills provide social competence, dialogic communication skills, interaction and cooperation with peers and adults. Thus, methods for the formation of verbal and non-verbal communication functions, socio-emotional skills and dialogue skills used to correct and develop communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorders.

scholarly journals Father communication coaching for children with autism spectrum disorder: A single-subject study

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 239694151987737
Author(s):  
Michelle Flippin
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Object Play ◽  
Physical Play

Background and aims Parent-mediated interventions have been shown to be effective for improving communication skills for children with autism spectrum disorder when implemented by mothers. Little is known about the efficacy of autism spectrum disorder communication interventions implemented by fathers. This study investigated the effects of a 12-week coaching program on a father’s use of responsive strategies. Targeted responsive strategies included follow-in comments, follow-in directives, responsive physical play, and responsive object play. Collateral measures of changes to child communication skills and parental stress levels were also investigated. Methods A single subject, multiple baselines across behaviors experiment was conducted with one dyad (i.e. father and child with autism spectrum disorder). Results Results showed that the participating father was able to quickly learn to use three of the four targeted responsive strategies (i.e. follow-in comments, follow-in directives, responsive physical play). Child’s use of single words increased over baseline level and beginning use of multi-word utterances was documented. Pre–post intervention changes in ratings of stress for the participating father and mother were noted across child and parent domains. Conclusions and implications Findings of this pilot study may have important implications for developing much-needed parent coaching programs to enhance fathers’ use of responsive strategies and increase social communication skills for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Dog training intervention improves adaptive social communication skills in young children with autism spectrum disorder: A controlled crossover study

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110005
Author(s):  
Esther Ben-Itzchak ◽  
Ditza A Zachor
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Special Education ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adaptive Skills ◽  
Training Intervention ◽  
Dog Training

Controlled studies examining canine therapy in autism spectrum disorder are scarce. This study examined the effectiveness of a “Dog Training Intervention” on adaptive skills, autism severity, and anxiety using a controlled crossover design. Seventy-three participants diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder ( Mage = 4:10 ± 1:0) were divided into two groups that received the dog training intervention during half of the school year in addition to standard-of-care interventions. The dog training intervention, in which the children were taught how to interact with and train dogs, was given twice weekly for 4 months within autism spectrum disorder–specific special education school. Those receiving the dog training intervention first showed significantly increased adaptive social and communication skills compared to the controls, and the gains were maintained after the dog training intervention. Belonging to the first dog training intervention group, higher pre-intervention adaptive skills, higher baseline cognitive ability, and less severe autism severity predicted better adaptive social and communication skills. The controls improved in adaptive skills only during their receipt of dog training intervention after crossover. The positive impact on social communication skills suggests that dog training may serve as an effective model for establishing social interaction. Dog training intervention appears to be an effective adjunct treatment to interventions provided in special education schools for children with autism spectrum disorder. Lay abstract There is some evidence that using therapy dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder generally results in improved social communication skills and reduced behavioral problems. However, well-controlled studies that examine its effectiveness are scarce. This study examined the effectiveness of a “Dog Training Intervention.” The study included 73 participants diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (61 males, 12 females) with age range of 2:10–7:6 years ( M = 4:10 ± 1:0) who attend autism spectrum disorder–specific special education schools. The study population was divided into two groups. Each group received the dog training intervention during one part of the school year (first half or second half) in addition to the standard interventions provided by the special education school settings. The dog training intervention was given twice weekly for 4 months within the school setting. The group that received the dog training intervention first showed a significant increase in adaptive social and communication skills in comparison to the second group that did not receive the intervention in this period. This improvement was maintained after the dog training intervention. The second group, which received intervention at the second half of the year, showed improvement in communication and socialization adaptive skills only during the period in which they received the dog training intervention. The positive impact on social communication adaptive skills of the dog training intervention among young children with autism spectrum disorder suggests that dogs may serve as an effective model for establishing social interaction. Dog training intervention appears to be an effective adjunct treatment to the interventions provided in special education schools for young children with autism spectrum disorder.

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