1
|
D'Arcy E, Burnett T, Capstick E, Elder C, Slee O, Girdler S, Scott M, Milbourn B. The Well-being and Support Needs of Australian Caregivers of Neurodiverse Children. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:1857-1869. [PMID: 36757543 PMCID: PMC9909132 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-05910-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Caregivers of children with neurodiverse needs are known to experience challenges and hardship due to the increased needs of the child and the lack of support available. This study aimed to explore the support needs and well-being of caregivers of children with neurodiverse needs in Australia. Sixty-six caregivers participated in an online survey asking questions about support needs. The results highlighted five main themes that caregivers commonly experienced including: barriers to community engagement, impact on close relationships, negative impact on mental health and identity, financial hardship, and identified support needs. Findings identified multiple unmet needs existing amongst caregivers and further emphasises the importance of addressing these needs to improve the quality of life of caregivers of children with neurodiverse needs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily D'Arcy
- Curtin Scool of Allied Health, Curtin University, 6102, Perth, Western Australia
| | - Tayah Burnett
- Curtin Scool of Allied Health, Curtin University, 6102, Perth, Western Australia
| | - Emily Capstick
- Curtin Scool of Allied Health, Curtin University, 6102, Perth, Western Australia
| | - Catherine Elder
- Curtin Scool of Allied Health, Curtin University, 6102, Perth, Western Australia
| | - Olivia Slee
- Curtin Scool of Allied Health, Curtin University, 6102, Perth, Western Australia
| | - Sonya Girdler
- Curtin Scool of Allied Health, Curtin University, 6102, Perth, Western Australia
| | - Melissa Scott
- Curtin Scool of Allied Health, Curtin University, 6102, Perth, Western Australia
| | - Ben Milbourn
- Curtin Scool of Allied Health, Curtin University, 6102, Perth, Western Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Baker EK, Giallo R, Seymour M, Hearps SJ, Wood CE. A longitudinal study of the relationships between sleep problems in autistic children and maternal mental health. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2023; 27:1891-1905. [PMID: 36691305 DOI: 10.1177/13623613221147397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Autistic children experience increased the rates of sleep problems. These sleep problems have been associated with mother's mental health symptoms. However, the direction of these relationships is not well understood. This study investigated the relationships between autistic children's sleep problems and mothers' mental health over a 12-year period using data collected as part of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Data from 397 autistic children and their mothers were included in this study. Mothers completed a questionnaire about their own mental health and common childhood sleep problems at four time points from 4-5 years to 14-15 years. The results showed important relationships between mothers' mental health symptoms and child sleep problems at two time points. Specifically, (1) mothers' mental health symptoms when the child was aged 4 to 5 years predicted child sleep problems at age 6 to 7 years; and (2) child sleep problems at age 12-13 years predicted mothers' mental health symptoms when the child was aged 14 to 15 years. Interestingly, these significant relationships also coincide with key developmental transition time points, when the child is transitioning in and out of primary school. These findings highlight the need for increased support for both the child and mother at these times to optimise outcomes for both.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma K Baker
- Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Australia
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gilbert M, Gore K, Hawke M, Barbaro J. Development, delivery, and evaluation of a training program for the early identification of autism: Monitoring of Social Attention, Interaction, and Communication. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1201265. [PMID: 37483439 PMCID: PMC10361691 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1201265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Early identification of Autistic children is an important precursor to diagnosis, and access to supports and services. Here we describe the training of the maternal and child health (MCH) workforce in the state of Victoria, Australia in the early identification of infants and toddlers with a high likelihood of autism. Methods In 2019, 1,428 MCH nurses completed early autism training held at venues across the state, with an additional 82 nurses completing online-only training. A training needs analysis enabled the research team to determine the workforce's current skill and knowledge levels, and to identify knowledge gaps, training needs and workplace barriers. The professional development program, known as Monitoring of Social Attention, Interaction, and Communication (MoSAIC), comprised: online pre-workshop modules; a face-to-face instructor-led workshop, which included the use of the Social Attention and Communication-Revised (SACS-R) tool; and online post-workshop modules, which included a recording of a face-to-face workshop with all accompanying resources. This was the first time that the MCH workforce received this training package. Attendees were asked to complete a training satisfaction survey immediately following the face-to-face instructor-led workshop and a follow-up survey regarding their autism knowledge and SACS-R implementation 4-6 weeks after the workshop. Results Over 90% (n = 325) of MCH nurses who completed the training satisfaction survey agreed or strongly agreed with statements that the training was clear and of high quality. Most nurses also reported that the training was well-presented and that they would recommend it to a colleague. In the 6 months following the training, a total of 82,581 SACS-R assessments were conducted by the MCH workforce, reflecting that MCH nurses had successfully integrated SACS-R assessments into their work practice after receiving the early autism identification training. Discussion This study demonstrated that training on the early identification of autism can be successfully designed, customized, and delivered to a large primary healthcare workforce for universal developmental surveillance of autism.
Collapse
|
4
|
Spicer-Cain H, Camilleri B, Hasson N, Botting N. Early Identification of Children at Risk of Communication Disorders: Introducing a Novel Battery of Dynamic Assessments for Infants. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 2023; 32:523-544. [PMID: 36787149 DOI: 10.1044/2022_ajslp-22-00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Many children with communication disorders (CDs) experience lengthy gaps between parental reporting of concerns and formal identification by professionals. This means that children with CDs are denied access to early interventions that may help support the development of communication skills and prevent possible negative sequelae associated with long-term outcomes. This may be due, in part, to the lack of assessment instruments available for children younger than 3 years of age. This study therefore reports on promising preliminary data from a novel set of valid dynamic assessment (DA) measures designed for infants. METHOD We recruited 53 low-risk children and two groups of children considered to be at high risk for CDs (n = 17, social high risk, and n = 22, language high risk) due to family members with language and social communication difficulties. The children were between 1 and 2 years of age and were assessed using a battery of five DA tasks related to receptive vocabulary, motor imitation, response to joint attention, turn taking, and social requesting. A set of standardized measures were also used. RESULTS The DA tasks showed high levels of interrater reliability and relationships with age across a cross-sectional sample of children from the low-risk group. Three tasks showed moderate to strong correlations with standardized measures taken at the same age, with particularly strong correlations between the DA of receptive vocabulary and other receptive language measures. The DA of receptive vocabulary was also the only task to discriminate between the three risk groups, with the social high risk group scoring lower. CONCLUSIONS These results provide preliminary information about early DA tasks, forming the basis for further research into their utility. DA tasks might eventually facilitate the development of new methods for detecting CDs in very young children, allowing earlier intervention and support.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helen Spicer-Cain
- Centre for Language and Communication Science Research, City, University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Bernard Camilleri
- Centre for Language and Communication Science Research, City, University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Hasson
- Centre for Language and Communication Science Research, City, University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Botting
- Centre for Language and Communication Science Research, City, University of London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bent CA, Pellicano E, Iacono T, Hudry K. Perspectives from parents of autistic children on participating in early intervention and associated research. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022:13623613221141540. [PMID: 36510841 DOI: 10.1177/13623613221141540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Support for autistic children early in life should help them to lead flourishing lives. However, many of the early intervention programmes for young autistic children are time-consuming and costly for families. These programmes are also often conducted in settings that are not closely matched to real life. We spoke to 23 parents (of 22 autistic children) to understand their experiences of their children's involvement in early intervention. Parents told us they were grateful for the opportunity, that they had 'hit the jackpot', and their children had 'gained so much' from the programme. They seemed to value the service because it made them feel safe and secure during an uncertain time in their children's lives. Parents told us they trusted staff, felt that they weren't 'doing it alone', and this 'took that pressure off' and helped them feel empowered. They also spoke of feelings of safety from being linked to the university research programme which offered 'accountability' and 'integrity'. Parents' comments showed a strong commitment to the early intervention model and staff - but also common feelings of abandonment and disempowerment as their child's time with the programme came to an end and they went 'back to the real world' and needed to find new supports for their children. These parents' insights should help to inform the design and delivery of community supports for preschool-aged autistic children and their families, which match the reality of their lived experiences.
Collapse
|
6
|
Guillon Q, Baduel S, Bejarano-Martín Á, Canal-Bedia R, MagÁn-Maganto M, FernÁndez-Álvarez C, Martín-Cilleros MV, SÁnchez-Gómez MC, García-Primo P, Rose-Sweeney M, Boilson A, LinertovÁ R, Roeyers H, Van der Paelt S, Schendel D, Warberg CK, Cramer S, Narzisi A, Muratori F, Scattoni ML, Moilanen I, Yliherva A, Saemundsen E, Jonsdottir SL, Efrim-Budisteanu M, Arghir A, Papuc SM, Vicente A, Rasga C, Xenia Kafka J, Poustka L, Kothgassner OD, Kawa R, Pisula E, Sellers T, Posada de la Paz M, Rogé B. Determinants of satisfaction with the detection process of autism in Europe: Results from the ASDEU study. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022; 26:2136-2150. [PMID: 35261293 DOI: 10.1177/13623613221080318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Professional guidance and support in response to first concerns appears to be an important predictor of the level of satisfaction with the detection process of autism in young children. In this study, we analyzed the views of 1342 family members, including 1278 parents, who completed an online survey form collecting information about their experience and satisfaction with the early detection of autism in their child. Specifically, we were interested in how specific experiences with the detection process relate to the satisfaction with it and whether we could identify important predictors of satisfaction. The detection process is an emotionally charged period for parents, often described as painful, chaotic, and lengthy. A better understanding of their experiences is important to take appropriate action to improve the detection process. In our sample, the level of satisfaction with the detection process varied greatly from one respondent to another. Among the different experiences we considered, whether or not respondents received professional guidance and support in response to first concerns explained most of this variation. We also found that difficulty finding information about detection services, lack of professional guidance and support in response to first concerns, having to find a diagnostic service on one's own, and longer delays between confirmation of concerns and first appointment with a specialist were experiences associated with a greater likelihood of being unsatisfied. The findings of this study highlight the importance of the parent-professional relationship in the detection process and have important practical implications for health administrations to improve the detection process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Renata LinertovÁ
- Canary Island Foundation for Health Research (Fundación Canaria de Investigación Sanitaria/FUNCANIS) and Health Service Research Network for Chronic Diseases (Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas/REDISSEC), Spain
| | | | | | - Diana Schendel
- iPSYCH, The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark.,Aarhus University, Denmark.,Drexel University, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Irma Moilanen
- University of Oulu, Finland.,Oulu University Hospital, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | - Aurora Arghir
- Victor Babes - National Institute of Pathology, Romania
| | | | - Astrid Vicente
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
| | - Celia Rasga
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tsuchiya KJ, Hakoshima S, Hara T, Ninomiya M, Saito M, Fujioka T, Kosaka H, Hirano Y, Matsuo M, Kikuchi M, Maegaki Y, Harada T, Nishimura T, Katayama T. Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder Without Expertise: A Pilot Study of 5- to 17-Year-Old Individuals Using Gazefinder. Front Neurol 2021; 11:603085. [PMID: 33584502 PMCID: PMC7876254 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.603085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Atypical eye gaze is an established clinical sign in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We propose a computerized diagnostic algorithm for ASD, applicable to children and adolescents aged between 5 and 17 years using Gazefinder, a system where a set of devices to capture eye gaze patterns and stimulus movie clips are equipped in a personal computer with a monitor. We enrolled 222 individuals aged 5–17 years at seven research facilities in Japan. Among them, we extracted 39 individuals with ASD without any comorbid neurodevelopmental abnormalities (ASD group), 102 typically developing individuals (TD group), and an independent sample of 24 individuals (the second control group). All participants underwent psychoneurological and diagnostic assessments, including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, second edition, and an examination with Gazefinder (2 min). To enhance the predictive validity, a best-fit diagnostic algorithm of computationally selected attributes originally extracted from Gazefinder was proposed. The inputs were classified automatically into either ASD or TD groups, based on the attribute values. We cross-validated the algorithm using the leave-one-out method in the ASD and TD groups and tested the predictability in the second control group. The best-fit algorithm showed an area under curve (AUC) of 0.84, and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 74, 80, and 78%, respectively. The AUC for the cross-validation was 0.74 and that for validation in the second control group was 0.91. We confirmed that the diagnostic performance of the best-fit algorithm is comparable to the diagnostic assessment tools for ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenji J Tsuchiya
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan.,Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Japan
| | - Shuji Hakoshima
- Healthcare Business Division, Development Center, JVCKENWOOD Corporation, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takeshi Hara
- Center for Healthcare Information Technology, Tokai National Higher Education and Research System, Gifu, Japan.,Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Masaru Ninomiya
- Healthcare Business Division, Development Center, JVCKENWOOD Corporation, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Manabu Saito
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan.,Research Center for Child Mental Development, Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - Toru Fujioka
- Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Japan.,Department of Science of Human Development, Faculty of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.,Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Kosaka
- Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Japan.,Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.,Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Hirano
- Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Japan.,Research Center for Child Mental Development, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Muneaki Matsuo
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Kikuchi
- Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.,Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | | | - Taeko Harada
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan.,Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Japan
| | - Tomoko Nishimura
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan.,Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Japan
| | - Taiichi Katayama
- Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jones SC, Akram M, Gordon CS, Murphy N, Sharkie F. Autism in Australia: Community Knowledge and Autistic People's Experiences. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 51:3677-3689. [PMID: 33389303 PMCID: PMC7778837 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04819-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents two studies that explored community attitudes to autism in Australia; and autistic people and their families' perspectives of community attitudes. In Study One 2424 (primarily non-autistic) people completed a survey on autism-related knowledge and attitudes; identifying a number of misperceptions and knowledge gaps in the general community. In Study Two 1353 people (primarily parents and carers of autistic people) completed a survey on autism-related experiences; identifying that the community's awareness of autism does not appear to extend to understanding how to support autistic people. There is a need for more research which integrates the perspectives of both autistic people and the broader community; and the development of communication and education interventions, with rather than about autistic people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra C Jones
- ACU Engagement, Australian Catholic University, Level 2, 340 Albert St, St Patrick's CampusEast Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia.
| | - Muhammad Akram
- Mary Mackillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Level 5, 215 Spring St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Chloe S Gordon
- ACU Engagement, Australian Catholic University, Level 2, 340 Albert St, St Patrick's CampusEast Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Nicole Murphy
- ACU Engagement, Australian Catholic University, Level 2, 340 Albert St, St Patrick's CampusEast Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Fiona Sharkie
- Amaze, Registered Charity, 24 Drummond St, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia
| |
Collapse
|