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Hong JS, Perrin J, Singh V, Kalb L, Cross EA, Wodka E, Richter C, Landa R. Psychometric Evaluation of the Autism Spectrum Rating Scales (6-18 Years Parent Report) in a Clinical Sample. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:1024-1035. [PMID: 36571625 PMCID: PMC9791153 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05871-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder impacting 1 in 44 children and early identification of children with ASD is critical for the intervention. Several screening measures have been developed for early identification, including the Autism Spectrum Rating Scales, 6-18 years Parent Report (ASRS). The ASRS has been understudied, and the current study assessed the validity of the ASRS in a clinical sample of 490 children at a tertiary ASD-specialty clinic. Results indicated that the ASRS demonstrated favorable sensitivity, but poor specificity. True positive screening results were more likely to occur for children with a multiracial background, while they were less likely to occur for children with a high social capital. Overall, though the ASRS has clinical utility as a screening measure, it did not perform effectively to differentiate ASD from Non-ASD clinical disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Su Hong
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 3901 Greenspring Ave, 21211, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
| | - Jeremy Perrin
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 3901 Greenspring Ave, 21211, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vini Singh
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 3901 Greenspring Ave, 21211, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Luke Kalb
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 3901 Greenspring Ave, 21211, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Cross
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 3901 Greenspring Ave, 21211, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ericka Wodka
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 3901 Greenspring Ave, 21211, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Chana Richter
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 3901 Greenspring Ave, 21211, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rebecca Landa
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 3901 Greenspring Ave, 21211, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
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Blume J, Miller M, O'Neill D, Mastergeorge AM, Ozonoff S. Utility of the Language Use Inventory in Young Children at Elevated Likelihood of Autism. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2024; 67:573-585. [PMID: 38215350 PMCID: PMC11000786 DOI: 10.1044/2023_jslhr-23-00442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aims of this study were (a) to evaluate the convergent validity of the Language Use Inventory (LUI) with measures of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms, language, and social skills and (b) to assess discriminant validity of the LUI with measures of nonlanguage skills, including daily living skills and motor development. METHOD This study sample included participants from a longitudinal study (n = 239) of infant siblings with elevated familial likelihood of ASD and lower familial likelihood. Assessment measures completed at 36 months included the LUI, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition (ADOS-2), the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Second Edition. Bivariate Pearson correlations were estimated between ADOS-2 comparison scores and four language and social skills measures. Additional correlations were estimated between LUI total scores and standard scores from nonlanguage measures. A series of Fisher's Z transformations were applied to evaluate whether bivariate correlations were significantly different. RESULTS All four language and social skill measures were moderately to strongly associated with each other and ASD symptom severity scores. The correlation between ADOS-2 comparison scores and LUI total scores was significantly stronger than ADOS-2 correlations with all other measures. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide support for the LUI as a feasible, pragmatic language-targeted instrument for inclusion in early developmental evaluations prompted by language concerns. Administration of the LUI may accelerate earlier referral for a comprehensive assessment of ASD symptoms. Given the high correlation with ADOS-2 scores, an LUI total score in a clinical range of concern may encourage a clinician to refer families for a full diagnostic evaluation of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Blume
- Office of Global Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock
| | - Meghan Miller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis
| | - Daniela O'Neill
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ann M. Mastergeorge
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock
| | - Sally Ozonoff
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis
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Clark EC, Neumann S, Hopkins S, Kostopoulos A, Hagerman L, Dobbins M. Changes to Public Health Surveillance Methods Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2024; 10:e49185. [PMID: 38241067 PMCID: PMC10837764 DOI: 10.2196/49185] [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] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public health surveillance plays a vital role in informing public health decision-making. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 caused a widespread shift in public health priorities. Global efforts focused on COVID-19 monitoring and contact tracing. Existing public health programs were interrupted due to physical distancing measures and reallocation of resources. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic intersected with advancements in technologies that have the potential to support public health surveillance efforts. OBJECTIVE This scoping review aims to explore emergent public health surveillance methods during the early COVID-19 pandemic to characterize the impact of the pandemic on surveillance methods. METHODS A scoping search was conducted in multiple databases and by scanning key government and public health organization websites from March 2020 to January 2022. Published papers and gray literature that described the application of new or revised approaches to public health surveillance were included. Papers that discussed the implications of novel public health surveillance approaches from ethical, legal, security, and equity perspectives were also included. The surveillance subject, method, location, and setting were extracted from each paper to identify trends in surveillance practices. Two public health epidemiologists were invited to provide their perspectives as peer reviewers. RESULTS Of the 14,238 unique papers, a total of 241 papers describing novel surveillance methods and changes to surveillance methods are included. Eighty papers were review papers and 161 were single studies. Overall, the literature heavily featured papers detailing surveillance of COVID-19 transmission (n=187). Surveillance of other infectious diseases was also described, including other pathogens (n=12). Other public health topics included vaccines (n=9), mental health (n=11), substance use (n=4), healthy nutrition (n=1), maternal and child health (n=3), antimicrobial resistance (n=2), and misinformation (n=6). The literature was dominated by applications of digital surveillance, for example, by using big data through mobility tracking and infodemiology (n=163). Wastewater surveillance was also heavily represented (n=48). Other papers described adaptations to programs or methods that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (n=9). The scoping search also found 109 papers that discuss the ethical, legal, security, and equity implications of emerging surveillance methods. The peer reviewer public health epidemiologists noted that additional changes likely exist, beyond what has been reported and available for evidence syntheses. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated advancements in surveillance and the adoption of new technologies, especially for digital and wastewater surveillance methods. Given the investments in these systems, further applications for public health surveillance are likely. The literature for surveillance methods was dominated by surveillance of infectious diseases, particularly COVID-19. A substantial amount of literature on the ethical, legal, security, and equity implications of these emerging surveillance methods also points to a need for cautious consideration of potential harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Clark
- National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sophie Neumann
- National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Stephanie Hopkins
- National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Alyssa Kostopoulos
- National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Leah Hagerman
- National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Maureen Dobbins
- National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Pesco D, O’Neill DK. Assessing pragmatics in early childhood with the Language Use Inventory across seven languages. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1169775. [PMID: 37408974 PMCID: PMC10318128 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1169775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Language Use Inventory (LUI) is a parent-report measure of the pragmatic functions of young children's language, standardized and norm-referenced in English (Canada) for children aged 18-47 months. The unique focus of the LUI, along with its appeal to parents, reliability and validity, and usefulness in both research and clinical contexts has prompted research teams globally to translate and adapt it to other languages. In this review, we describe the original LUI's key features and report on processes used by seven different research teams to translate and adapt it to Arabic, French, Italian, Mandarin, Norwegian, Polish, and Portuguese. We also review data from the studies of the seven translated versions, which indicate that all the LUI versions were reliable and sensitive to developmental changes. The review demonstrates that the LUI, informed by a social-cognitive and functional approach to language development, captures growth in children's language use across a range of linguistic and cultural contexts, and as such, can serve as a valuable tool for clinical and research purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Pesco
- Department of Education, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Isensee C, Schmid B, Marschik PB, Zhang D, Poustka L. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on families living with autism: An online survey. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2022; 129:104307. [PMID: 35908370 PMCID: PMC9271458 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic presents a great challenge for governments, health care professionals and the general population. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might be especially vulnerable to restrictions imposed by the crisis. AIM The objective of the study was to examine the impact of the SARSCoV- 2 pandemic on children with ASD and their families. METHODS AND PROCEDURES We conducted an online survey two months after the beginning of lock-down (18th of May to 5th of July 2020) in Germany and Austria. We investigated behavioral and emotional changes of children related to the lock-down alongside parental stress and intrafamilial burden OUTCOME AND RESULTS: Of the 216 participating families with an autistic child (mean age: 12.23 years), nearly 50% reported aggravation of autistic symptoms and heightened parental stress. Families reported discontinuation of therapy, more intrafamilial conflicts and increase of psychopharmacological medication of the child. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our report on short-term detrimental effects of the pandemic calls for thorough investigation of long-term sequalae for children and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Isensee
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Schmid
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter B Marschik
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany; Interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Austria; Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dajie Zhang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany; Interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Luise Poustka
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany.
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Expectations and Concerns about the Use of Telemedicine for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Parents and Healthcare Professionals. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11123294. [PMID: 35743364 PMCID: PMC9224762 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11123294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Telemedicine has recently been used for diagnosis and interventions inpatients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), traditionally performed in-person, but little attention has been paid to user expectations prior to its use. The aim of this study is to compare the expectations and concerns of 50 healthcare professionals and 45 parents of children with ASD regarding the use of telemedicine for diagnostic or treatment purposes. Parents have higher expectations for the use of telemedicine as an alternative (p = 0.0223) and supplement (p = 0.0061) to in-person diagnosis of ASD, as well as a supplement to traditional intervention (p ≤ 0.0001). In addition, while they also have greater hope for improvement in family routines (p = 0.0034) and parenting skills in child management (p = 0.0147), they express greater concern about the need for active parental involvement/supervision during telemedicine services (p = 0.015) and changes in the behaviour of the child with ASD during telemedicine services (p = 0.049). On the other hand, healthcare professionals are more concerned about barriers such as lack of devices (p = 0.000), unfamiliarity with the technology (p = 0.000), poor quality of internet connection (p = 0.006), and severity of ASD (p = 0.000). To achieve promising healthcare for ASD patients, the telemedicine service should try to meet the needs and preferences of both healthcare professionals and parents, as well as identify and, if possible, reduce perceived barriers.
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Kreysa H, Schneider D, Kowallik AE, Dastgheib SS, Doğdu C, Kühn G, Ruttloff JM, Schweinberger SR. Psychosocial and Behavioral Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children and Adolescents with Autism and Their Families: Overview of the Literature and Initial Data from a Multinational Online Survey. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:714. [PMID: 35455891 PMCID: PMC9028372 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10040714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Since COVID-19 has become a pandemic, everyday life has seen dramatic changes affecting individuals, families, and children with and without autism. Among other things, these changes entail more time at home, digital forms of communication, school closures, and reduced support and intervention. Here, we assess the effects of the pandemic on quality of life for school-age autistic and neurotypical children and adolescents. First, we provide a comprehensive review of the current relevant literature. Next, we report original data from a survey conducted in several countries, assessing activities, well-being, and social life in families with autism, and their changes over time. We focus on differences between children with and without autism from within the same families, and on different outcomes for children with high- or low-functioning autism. While individuals with autism scored lower in emotional and social functioning than their neurotypical siblings, both groups of children showed comparable decreases in well-being and increases in anxiety, compared to before the pandemic. By contrast, decreases in adaptability were significantly more pronounced in autistic children and adolescents compared to neurotypical children and adolescents. Overall, although individual families reported some positive effects of pandemic restrictions, our data provide no evidence that these generalize across children and adolescents with autism, or even just to individuals with high-functioning autism. We discuss the increased challenges that need to be addressed to protect children and adolescents' well-being under pandemic conditions, but also point out potentials in the present situation that could be used towards social participation and success in older children and young adults with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene Kreysa
- Social Potential in Autism Research Unit & Department of General Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.E.K.); (S.S.D.); (J.M.R.)
| | - Dana Schneider
- Social Potential in Autism Research Unit & Department of Social Psychology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (D.S.); (C.D.)
- DFG Scientific Network “Understanding Others”, SCHN 1481/2-1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Erika Kowallik
- Social Potential in Autism Research Unit & Department of General Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.E.K.); (S.S.D.); (J.M.R.)
- Early Support and Counseling Center Jena, Herbert Feuchte Stiftungsverbund, 07743 Jena, Germany;
- Department of Psychiatry, Jena University Hospital, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Samaneh Sadat Dastgheib
- Social Potential in Autism Research Unit & Department of General Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.E.K.); (S.S.D.); (J.M.R.)
| | - Cem Doğdu
- Social Potential in Autism Research Unit & Department of Social Psychology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (D.S.); (C.D.)
| | - Gabriele Kühn
- Early Support and Counseling Center Jena, Herbert Feuchte Stiftungsverbund, 07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Jenny Marianne Ruttloff
- Social Potential in Autism Research Unit & Department of General Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.E.K.); (S.S.D.); (J.M.R.)
| | - Stefan R. Schweinberger
- Social Potential in Autism Research Unit & Department of General Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.E.K.); (S.S.D.); (J.M.R.)
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Ozalp Akin E, Akbas A, Atasoy SC, Kanatli MC, Ince Acici S, Mustafayev R, Karaaslan BT, Ertem HD, Bingoler Pekcici B, Ertem I. Applicability of the Guide for Monitoring Child Development as a Telehealth Delivered Intervention During the Pandemic. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:884779. [PMID: 35722494 PMCID: PMC9204056 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.884779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early intervention delivered through telehealth is critically needed during crises, particularly for children in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to determine the applicability of the international Guide for Monitoring Child Development (GMCD) intervention delivered through telehealth during the COVID-19 lockdown in Turkey. METHODS Using a mixed-methods longitudinal design, we recruited children with developmental difficulties aged 0-42 months with an appointment during the first lockdown at Ankara University Developmental Pediatrics Division and seen face-to-face only once before. Developmental pediatricians applied the GMCD intervention during a single telephone call. As a novel intervention component, caregivers were asked to record and send back videos of the child's development when there were doubts about the child's functioning. Caregivers were called 1 year later by blinded independent researchers and a semi-structured interview on applicability was conducted. Applicability of the caregiver recorded video component of the intervention was assessed by a blinded observer using the GMCD Video Observation Tool. RESULTS Of 122 children that received the telehealth delivered GMCD intervention, 114 (93.4%) were included in the 1-year outcome study. Most were boys (51.8%); median age was 16.5 (IQR: 10.0-29.0) months, 51.0% had chronic health conditions, and 66.7% had developmental delay. All caregivers that received the intervention were mothers; 75.4% had at least high school education. The intervention was reported as applicable by 80.7% with high levels of satisfaction. On multivariate regression analysis, absence of chronic health related conditions was significantly associated with applicability (OR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.02-8.09). Of 31 caregivers that were asked for videos, 19 sent back 93 videos that were technically observable. One or more developmental domains were observed in all videos; in 52.6%, caregivers provided early learning opportunities. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study imply that the telehealth delivered GMCD intervention for children with developmental difficulties is applicable during the pandemic. The intervention content and frequency needs to be augmented for children with chronic health conditions. Further research is required to examine applicability and effectiveness of the GMCD intervention in other settings, particularly in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezgi Ozalp Akin
- Developmental Pediatrics Division, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Aysen Akbas
- Developmental Pediatrics Division, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sidika Canan Atasoy
- Developmental Pediatrics Division, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Merve Cicek Kanatli
- Developmental Pediatrics Division, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Selin Ince Acici
- Developmental Pediatrics Division, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Revan Mustafayev
- Department of Pediatrics, Acibadem Maslak Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bedriye Tugba Karaaslan
- Department of Child Development, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izmir Katip Çelebi University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hilmi Deniz Ertem
- Developmental Pediatrics Division, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Bahar Bingoler Pekcici
- Developmental Pediatrics Division, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ilgi Ertem
- Developmental Pediatrics Division, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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A Multidisciplinary Telerehabilitation Approach for Supporting Social Interaction in Autism Spectrum Disorder Families: An Italian Digital Platform in Response to COVID-19. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11111404. [PMID: 34827403 PMCID: PMC8615374 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11111404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to its complexity and high variability in symptomology, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) requires a coordinated and multidisciplinary intervention to better support the different programs over time and to promote social interactions in all contexts of life. Telemedicine can offer a valuable contribution in this regard, providing low-cost and portable applications. In this paper, we presented an Italian project, SUPER, which aimed to foster collaboration and information sharing between ASD families, health services, and schools. SUPER provided a digital platform with several tools that were useful both to enhance general and specific ASD knowledge and to promote personalized programs for children with ASD. We conducted a preliminary user test for the platform with 30 participants (18 therapists and 12 parents of children with ASD) using the system usability scale (SUS). The total mean SUS score (89.2) showed that SUPER is an excellent, usable system. Moreover, we extracted the usability and learnability mean components from the SUS scores, which were 96.1 and 61.7, respectively. Our preliminary results indicate that SUPER is a very user-friendly application and its innovative telemedicine approach could be ahelpful communication and collaboration tool among the different contexts of care for children with ASD.
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Desideri L, Pérez-Fuster P, Herrera G. Information and Communication Technologies to Support Early Screening of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8020093. [PMID: 33535513 PMCID: PMC7912726 DOI: 10.3390/children8020093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this systematic review is to identify recent digital technologies used to detect early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in preschool children (i.e., up to six years of age). A systematic literature search was performed for English language articles and conference papers indexed in Pubmed, PsycInfo, ERIC, CINAHL, WoS, IEEE, and ACM digital libraries up until January 2020. A follow-up search was conducted to cover the literature published until December 2020 for the usefulness and interest in this area of research during the Covid-19 emergency. In total, 2427 articles were initially retrieved from databases search. Additional 481 articles were retrieved from follow-up search. Finally, 28 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The studies included involved four main interface modalities: Natural User Interface (e.g., eye trackers), PC or mobile, Wearable, and Robotics. Most of the papers included (n = 20) involved the use of Level 1 screening tools. Notwithstanding the variability of the solutions identified, psychometric information points to considering available technologies as promising supports in clinical practice to detect early sign of ASD in young children. Further research is needed to understand the acceptability and increase use rates of technology-based screenings in clinical settings. .
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patricia Pérez-Fuster
- Autism and Technologies Laboratory, University Research Institute on Robotics and Information and Communication Technologies (IRTIC), Universitat de València, 46010 València, Spain; (P.P.-F.); (G.H.)
| | - Gerardo Herrera
- Autism and Technologies Laboratory, University Research Institute on Robotics and Information and Communication Technologies (IRTIC), Universitat de València, 46010 València, Spain; (P.P.-F.); (G.H.)
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Ueda R, Okada T, Kita Y, Ozawa Y, Inoue H, Shioda M, Kono Y, Kono C, Nakamura Y, Amemiya K, Ito A, Sugiura N, Matsuoka Y, Kaiga C, Kubota M, Ozawa H. Psychological Status Associated With Low Quality of Life in School-Age Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders During COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Period. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:676493. [PMID: 34733180 PMCID: PMC8558384 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.676493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: This study seeks to ascertain how the COVID-19 stay-at-home period has affected the quality of life (QOL) of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) who had experienced sleep schedules alteration and clarify what psychological status predicted low QOL in children with and without altered sleep patterns. Materials and Methods: Study participants were 86 children between 8 and 17 years of age (mean age, 11.7 years; 70 boys, 16 girls; mean intellectual quotient, 83.6). QOL was evaluated using the self-assessment KINDLR. Participants answered questions regarding depression and anxiety on a visual analog scale (VAS) for temporary mood. Their parents answered questionnaires regarding their maladaptive behaviors and differences in sleep patterns before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The student's t-test was performed to examine the presence or absence of sleep changes in the children, which affected QOL, temporary mood, and maladaptive behaviors. Multiple or simple linear regression analyses were also performed to identify the psychogenic factors that significantly affected decreased QOL for each group with and without changes in sleep schedule. Results: During the COVID-19 stay-at-home period, 46.5% of participants experienced changes in sleep patterns. These changes were associated with decreased QOL as well as internalized symptoms. The decreased QOL of children with sleep patterns changed was predicted by a high level of depression. In addition, low QOL in children with unchanged sleep patterns was predicted by a high level of depression and low current mood status. Conclusions: Almost half of the participants experienced a poor sleep schedule during the stay-at-home period. These alterations in sleep patterns were associated with a low QOL. The QOL of children with a stable life schedule was affected not only by depressive tendencies but also temporary moods. Therefore, they need to live a fulfilling life to maintain their QOL. However, the QOL of children with poor sleep patterns was affected only by depressive tendencies. Hence, clinicians need to ensure that children with NDDs are well-diagnosed with depression and treated for sleep problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riyo Ueda
- Department of Developmental Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan.,Department of Child Neurology, Shimada Ryoiku Center Hachioji, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Takashi Okada
- Department of Developmental Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Yosuke Kita
- Mori Arinori Center for Higher Education and Global Mobility, Hitotsubashi University, Kunitachi, Japan.,Cognitive Brain Research Unit (CBRU), Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Yuri Ozawa
- Department of Child Neurology, Shimada Ryoiku Center Hachioji, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Hisami Inoue
- Department of Child Neurology, Shimada Ryoiku Center Hachioji, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Mutsuki Shioda
- Department of Child Neurology, Shimada Ryoiku Center Hachioji, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Kono
- Department of Child Neurology, Shimada Ryoiku Center Hachioji, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Chika Kono
- Department of Child Neurology, Shimada Ryoiku Center Hachioji, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Yukiko Nakamura
- Department of Child Neurology, Shimada Ryoiku Center Hachioji, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Kaoru Amemiya
- Department of Child Neurology, Shimada Ryoiku Center Hachioji, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Ai Ito
- Department of Child Neurology, Shimada Ryoiku Center Hachioji, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Nobuko Sugiura
- Department of Child Neurology, Shimada Ryoiku Center Hachioji, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Matsuoka
- Department of Child Neurology, Shimada Ryoiku Center Hachioji, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Chinami Kaiga
- Department of Child Neurology, Shimada Ryoiku Center Hachioji, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Masaya Kubota
- Department of Child Neurology, Shimada Ryoiku Center Hachioji, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ozawa
- Department of Child Neurology, Shimada Ryoiku Center Hachioji, Hachioji, Japan
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