Parent training for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Author(s):  
Shamaila Ijaz ◽  
Farwa Rafaq ◽  
Sonia Haider

Abstract Objective: The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of behavior therapy training to mothers of autistic children on verbal and non-verbal improvement of their children. Materials and Methods: A total of 33 mothers of autistic children were selected for training based on non-probability purposive sampling procedure.  Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Knowledge Scale was used to assess mothers’ knowledge about autism and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale was used for assessment of the communication skill in autistic children. Results: This study revealed that behavior therapy training significantly improved communication skills of children with autism by training mothers. The results of paired t-test revealed that trained mothers developed improved communication skills. Conclusion: These results showed improvement in communication skills of autistic children whose mothers were trained in behavior therapy. Keywords: Behavior therapy, autism, training mothers. Continuous...

Author(s):  
Azham Hussain ◽  
Emmanuel O.C Mkpojiogu ◽  
Pauline Chiamaka Okoroafor

This systematic literature review was set out to review available literature on autism spectrum disorder and educational mobile apps with the aim of investigating available educational mobile app and how teachers can utilize these apps in assisting autistic children in acquiring language and communication skills. In order to achieve the aim of the study, the researchers employed a systematic method of investigation. Fifty papers in the areas of autism, educational apps and teaching method for autistic children were downloaded. Twenty-six were carefully selected because of their relevance to the study. The papers were analyzed and the result showed that there are available educational apps that are effective in helping autistic children in acquiring language and communication skills.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 1783-1797
Author(s):  
Kelly L. Coburn ◽  
Diane L. Williams

Purpose Neurodevelopmental processes that begin during gestation and continue throughout childhood typically support language development. Understanding these processes can help us to understand the disruptions to language that occur in neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method For this tutorial, we conducted a focused literature review on typical postnatal brain development and structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetoencephalography, and electroencephalography studies of the neurodevelopmental differences that occur in ASD. We then integrated this knowledge with the literature on evidence-based speech-language intervention practices for autistic children. Results In ASD, structural differences include altered patterns of cortical growth and myelination. Functional differences occur at all brain levels, from lateralization of cortical functions to the rhythmic activations of single neurons. Neuronal oscillations, in particular, could help explain disrupted language development by elucidating the timing differences that contribute to altered functional connectivity, complex information processing, and speech parsing. Findings related to implicit statistical learning, explicit task learning, multisensory integration, and reinforcement in ASD are also discussed. Conclusions Consideration of the neural differences in autistic children provides additional scientific support for current recommended language intervention practices. Recommendations consistent with these neurological findings include the use of short, simple utterances; repetition of syntactic structures using varied vocabulary; pause time; visual supports; and individualized sensory modifications.


Open Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingyang Zou ◽  
Yu Liu ◽  
Shu Xie ◽  
Luxi Wang ◽  
Dexin Li ◽  
...  

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental disabilities, the aetiology of which remains elusive. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system modulates neurotransmission and neuronal plasticity. Evidence points to the involvement of this neuromodulatory system in the pathophysiology of ASD. We investigated whether there is a disruption to the eCB system in ASD and whether pharmacological modulation of the eCB system might offer therapeutic potential. We examined three major components of the eCB system—endogenous cannabinoids, their receptors and associated enzymes—in ASD children as well as in the valproic acid (VPA) induced animal model in autism. Furthermore, we specifically increased 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) levels by administering JZL184, a selective inhibitor of monoacylglycerol lipase which is the hydrolytic enzyme for 2-AG, to examine ASD-like behaviours in VPA-induced rats. Results showed that autistic children and VPA-induced rats exhibited reduced eCB content, increased degradation of enzymes and upregulation of CBRs. We found that repetitive and stereotypical behaviours, hyperactivity, sociability, social preference and cognitive functioning improved after acute and chronic JZL184 treatment. The major efficacy of JZL184 was observed after administration of a dosage regimen of 3 mg kg −1 , which affected both the eCB system and ASD-like behaviours. In conclusion, a reduced eCB signalling was observed in autistic children and in the ASD animal model, and boosting 2-AG could ameliorate ASD-like phenotypes in animals. Collectively, the results suggested a novel approach to ASD treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-41
Author(s):  
Mansour Mohammed Ali Bopaeda

Having a baby is a huge responsibility. It often happens that mothers, especially when they are having their first baby, feel stressed and incompetent in their role as mothers even as their children normally grows. The purpose of this article is to identify the general features of psychological stress among mothers of autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome and to identify the differences and relationship in psychological stress between mothers of autism and down syndrome. In this study participated a group of mothers with children who have autism (n = 44) and mothers of children with Down syndrome (n = 44). The findings made proved that the general features of psychological stress are high Among mothers of autistic children, while it was low among mothers of Down syndrome, there were also statistically significant differences in the level of psychological stress between mothers of autism and Down syndrome, and a correlation was found between mothers of autism and Down syndrome at the level of significance (0.01).


2021 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-404
Author(s):  
Jokthan Guivarch ◽  
Elisabeth Jouve ◽  
Elodie Avenel ◽  
François Poinso ◽  
Laura Conforti-Roussel

More than half of children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suffer from motor impairment. In a retrospective study, the authors investigated the effect of a body-mediated workshop with dance movement therapy (DMT) on the motor skills and social skills of children with ASD by comparing 10 autistic children aged 7 to 10 years who benefited from DMT with 10 autistic children in a control group. Scores on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale were compared. The body-mediated workshop had significant benefits for motricity, especially manual dexterity, and for relational skills. A body-mediated workshop may have a multimodal effect and requires transmodal training. Regarding the mechanisms that explain the benefits and the cascading effect, the roles of imitation and multimodal connections are important.


Autism ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 190-199
Author(s):  
Oskar Flygare ◽  
Erik Andersson ◽  
Helene Ringberg ◽  
Anna-Clara Hellstadius ◽  
Johan Edbacken ◽  
...  

Obsessive–compulsive disorder and autism spectrum disorder commonly co-occur. Adapted cognitive behavior therapy for obsessive–compulsive disorder in adults with autism spectrum disorder has not previously been evaluated outside the United Kingdom. In this study, 19 adults with obsessive–compulsive disorder and autism spectrum disorder were treated using an adapted cognitive behavior therapy protocol that consisted of 20 sessions focused on exposure with response prevention. The primary outcome was the clinician-rated Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale. Participants were assessed up to 3 months after treatment. There were significant reductions on the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale at post-treatment (d = 1.5), and improvements were sustained at follow-up (d = 1.2). Self-rated obsessive–compulsive disorder and depressive symptoms showed statistically significant reductions. Improvements in general functioning and quality of life were statistically non-significant. Three participants (16%) were responders at post-treatment and four (21%) were in remission from obsessive–compulsive disorder. At follow-up, three participants (16%) were responders and one (5%) was in full remission. Adapted cognitive behavior therapy for obsessive–compulsive disorder in adults with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder is associated with reductions in obsessive–compulsive symptoms and depressive symptoms. However, outcomes are modest; few patients were completely symptom free, and treatment engagement was low with few completed exposures and low adherence to homework assignments. We identify and discuss the need for further treatment refinement for this vulnerable group.


Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffie van der Steen ◽  
Merel Heineman ◽  
Marloes Ernst

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.


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