Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Systematic Review of Peer-Mediated Intervention for Children with Autism Who Are Minimally Verbal
AbstractIn peer-mediated intervention (PMI), peers act as agents of intervention. Previous reviews in this area have not addressed the effectiveness of using PMI with children with autism who are minimally verbal. Following a systematic search, we reviewed 25 studies where PMI was used to increase communication in minimally verbal participants. The majority of these (n = 23) were single-case experimental design studies in settings that included preschools, elementary schools, and high schools. PMIs varied in the amounts of training offered to peers and the types of activities in which children engaged. Social communica...
Source: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - March 27, 2020 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

A Systematic Scoping Review of Social, Educational, and Psychological Research on Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their Family Members in Arab Countries and Cultures
AbstractCultural dimensions of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are relatively unexplored in the research literature. The current study is a systematic scoping review describing social, educational, and psychological research focused on individuals with ASD and their family members in Arab countries and cultures. Seventy studies met eligibility criteria. Most of the studies were from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon. Most of the identified research addressed three major domains: the prevalence of ASD and diagnosis issues, the experiences and outcomes for Arab caregivers of individuals with ASD, and social and communication ...
Source: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - March 23, 2020 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Challenges in the Diagnosis and Management of Pain in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with many systemic comorbidities, including sensory dysfunctions. A growing body of literature explored patients ’ unusually intense reactions to innocuous sensory stimuli but very little is known about ASD patients’ response to noxious stimuli such as pain. Patients with ASD are thought to have low sensitivity to pain, but currently, there is no clear consensus on pain responsivity/sensitivity/expression in patients with ASD. Pain is likely a significant source of suffering for patients with ASD, but limited literature suggest that it m...
Source: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - March 8, 2020 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

A Systematic Review of Applied Behavior Analytic Interventions for Children with Autism in Mainland China
AbstractApplied behavior analysis (ABA)-based intervention  is typically utilized to support children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which has been widely used across the world. However, little is known about the current extent of the utilization of applied behavior analysis for children with autism in China. This paper provides a systematic revie w on the ABA-based intervention studies conducted in Mainland China. Studies published in Chinese and English journals were included, and 35 empirical studies qualified for the selection criteria were analyzed. The results suggest that the Chinese ABA-based programs...
Source: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - January 28, 2020 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Verbal Mand Interventions for Young Children with Autism: a Review of the Literature
AbstractWhen educating young children with autism, it is imperative to use a teaching practice that is supported by evidence-based research. This review examined and synthesized the results of studies targeting the acquisition of verbal requests (mands) by young children with autism. Results indicated that verbal mand interventions are effective at increasing communication for young children with autism. These interventions were primarily implemented in clinical or private school settings by highly trained professionals. There are also several methodological limitations in the articles reviewed. Given the limitations, the ...
Source: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - January 28, 2020 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

The Female Autism Phenotype and Camouflaging: a Narrative Review
AbstractAutism is more commonly diagnosed in males than females. One explanation is the ‘female protective effect’: there is something inherent in being female which reduces the likelihood of developing autism. However, evidence suggests that the condition is underdiagnosed in females, perhaps because females express their autism in ways which do not meet current diagnostic criteri a. This review explores evidence for a female-typical autism presentation, the Female Autism Phenotype (FAP) and the component of camouflaging (compensating for and masking autistic characteristics) in particular. The evidence so far support...
Source: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - January 28, 2020 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Exploring Interventions Used to Teach Friendship Skills to Children and Adolescents with High-Functioning Autism: a Systematic Review
AbstractSocial skill deficits prevalent in individuals with high-functioning autism (HFA) often lead to challenges in forming friendships with peers. The present study reviews the research base to evaluate interventions which focus on teaching friendship-related social skills to children and adolescents with HFA. Twelve studies were identified for inclusion. Studies were summarized in terms of participant characteristics, study design, target friendship social skills, intervention characteristics, intervention outcomes, generalisation and maintenance outcomes, and social validity. Research quality was also systematically a...
Source: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - January 3, 2020 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

A Review of Sleep Disturbances among Infants and Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
AbstractSleep problems are common among children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). We review sleep disturbance in three major NDDs: autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). We review associations with functional impairment, discuss how patterns of sleep disturbance inform understanding of etiology, and theorize about mechanisms of impairment. Sleep disturbance is a transdiagnostic feature of NDDs. Caregivers report high rates of sleep problems, including difficulty falling or staying asleep. Polysomnography data reveal differences in sleep architecture and increased rates...
Source: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - December 25, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

A Systematic Review of Interventions to Address Inappropriate Masturbation for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Other Developmental Disabilities
AbstractIndividuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities (ASD/DD) may engage in socially inappropriate masturbation that puts them or others at risk for harm. This may lead professionals, parents, and other stakeholders to intervene in ways that suppress safe, socially appropriate, and gratifying masturbation. Single case experimental intervention research may support prevention of inappropriate masturbation as well as increasing access to specialized instruction for safe and socially appropriate masturbation by individuals with ASD/DD. We conducted a systematic literature review of single cas...
Source: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - December 22, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

The Effects of Parent Training Programs on the Quality of Life and Stress Levels of Parents Raising a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Systematic Review of the Literature
AbstractParents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk higher levels of stress and a lower quality of life compared to parents of typically developing children. Few parent training programs focus on parenting outcomes, and few authors evaluate the implementation fidelity of their program. A systematic review was conducted to target studies assessing the effects of group training programs on the stress levels or quality of life of parents of children with ASD as well as the implementation fidelity. A total of 12 studies were identified. Findings suggest that mindfulness could be a promising parent training too...
Source: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - December 9, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Canine-Assisted Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Systematic Review
Abstract Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been suggested to increase prosocial behavior in children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Out of all the animals used in AAT, dogs have been found to be the most utilized and accessible. This systematic review examines the current state of literatur e on canine-assisted therapy (CAT) for children with ASD based on peer-reviewed articles. Five studies met inclusion and exclusion criteria. All articles found that presence of a therapy dog was correlated with increased frequency and duration of social behavior both throughout treatment and, in the case of one study, a...
Source: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - December 5, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Primary Care Physicians ’ Knowledge of Autism and Evidence-Based Interventions for Autism: A Systematic Review
This study comprised a systematic review of research assessing PCPs ’ knowledge of autism and evidence-based interventions for individuals with autism. Results indicated that PCPs in a majority of studies had inadequate knowledge of autism and its associated treatments. A variety of variables were associated with PCPs’ knowledge including personal experiences wi th autism, continuing medical education on autism, and years of clinical experience. Results are discussed with regard to their implications for further education in autism for PCPs and future research. (Source: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders)
Source: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - December 3, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Autism Spectrum Disorder Interventions in Mainland China: a Systematic Review
AbstractResearch on effective interventions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has historically been focused on Western populations and little is known in China. This literature review sought to determine the current state of ASD intervention research in mainland China, with respect to the evidence-based practice (EBP) movement in the treatment of ASD. A methodical search process of refereed articles yielded 33 studies from 2003 through August 2018 meeting the selection criteria for inclusion and analysis. The majority of articles (76%) used either a true EBP or an idiosyncratic behavior intervention package (IBIP) includi...
Source: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - December 2, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Potential Determinants of Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders
AbstractGastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is a common comorbidity of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and is associated with increased severity of characteristic autism-associated symptoms. However, the underlying biological mechanisms for GI dysfunction symptoms in children with ASD are unknown. This review explores potential explanations for these symptoms including altered enteric microbiota, impaired intestinal permeability, changes in immune homeostasis, and genetic factors such as single nucleotide polymorphisms. It was shown that genetic factors not only influence the development of altered enteric microbiota and imp...
Source: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - November 27, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Reading Instruction for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Quality Analysis
This study reviews the literature on reading instruction consistent with the recommendations of the National Reading Panel (NRP; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development,2000) for children with autism spectrum disorder, using the Evaluative Method for Determining Evidence-Based Practices in Autism to assess research quality (Reichow, Volkmar,& Cicchetti,2008). A search of the literature published between 2009 and 2017 identified 10,779 relevant records, of which 19 met inclusion criteria. Studies reported gains in phonics, reading accuracy, reading fluency, and/or reading comprehension skills; however, ...
Source: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - September 11, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research