Research providing an evidence-base for autistic adult services is sparse. The Autism Spectrum Disorders in the European Union (ASDEU) network implemented an on-line survey to determine gaps in ...autistic adult diagnostic evaluation and post-diagnostic support services. More than 55% in all groups experienced most of the recommended features for diagnostic evaluation for autistic adults. In contrast, < 2% of adults or carers, and < 21% of professionals experienced each of the recommended features for post-diagnostic support. In contrast to 61% of professionals, only about 30% of autistic adults and carers had knowledge of good local services models for autism diagnosis in adulthood. There are major differences between good practice guidelines for diagnostic and post-diagnostic care for autistic adults, and what is actually experienced by services users and professionals.
The Autism Spectrum Disorders in the European Union (ASDEU) survey investigated local services’ use experiences of autistic adults, carers and professionals with interventions for autistic adults. ...The majority of the 697 participants experienced recommended considerations prior to deciding on intervention and during the intervention plan and implementation. Psychosocial interventions were the most commonly experienced interventions, while pharmacological interventions NOT recommended for core autistic symptoms were reported by fairly large proportions of participants. Family interventions were experienced slightly more commonly by carers than adults or professionals. Less than the 26% of autistic adult responders who had experienced challenging behaviors reported receiving an intervention to change them. These results provide insights for improving gaps in service provision of interventions among autistic adults.
Exploratory object play is a primary strategy in amassing knowledge about one's environment and determines the development of language skills at a later age. However, still much remains unknown about ...how object play is related to visual and language development in children at risk of developmental disorders.
Forty-four children at risk of developmental disorders aged 13 to 37 months took part in the study. The measurement of object play relied on observation of children manipulating novel objects. Language skills were assessed by the Mullen Scales.
The results indicate that there is a correlation between specific object play behaviours, language and visual skills.
The findings from this study support the hypothesis that the relationship between visual and language skills and object play in children at risk of developmental disorders is different in younger and older children.
Various studies have shown a relationship between the development of language and object play in children. Children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show difficulties in both of these areas of ...functioning. But the knowledge about the relationships between the severity of ASD symptoms and object play in children at risk of developmental disorders remains limited. To explore these relationships, 44 children aged 13-37 months took part in this study. Object play and ASD symptoms were assessed in two age groups (13-18 months and 24-37 months). The results show that ASD symptom intensity is related to object play complexity in children at risk of developmental disorders. However, these relationships are different depending on the age of the children.
To determine whether a gluten-free diet (GFD) compared with a gluten-containing diet (GD) influences functioning of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), we performed a randomized, ...controlled, single-blinded trial. Sixty-six children (36–69 months) with ASD, within the normal IQ (> 70) range, who had been on a GFD for at least 8 weeks before enrollment were eligible for inclusion. After an 8-week run-in period on a GFD, the GFD group continued this diet and the GD group consumed at least one normal meal containing gluten per day for 6 months. There were no differences between groups in autistic symptoms, maladaptive behaviors, or intellectual abilities after the intervention. A GFD compared with a GD did not affect functioning of children with ASD.
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02280746.
The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake in one of the co-author’s family name. The correct name should be María Victoria Martín-Cilleros instead of María Victoria ...Cilleros-Martín.
The Autism Spectrum Disorders in the European Union (ASDEU) survey investigated the knowledge and health service experiences of users and providers to generate new hypotheses and scientific ...investigations that would contribute to improvement in health care for autistic adults. An online survey designed for autistic adults, carers of autistic adults, and professionals in adult services was translated into 11 languages and distributed electronically by organizations and in-country adult service facilities in 2017; 522 autistic adults, 442 carers, and 113 professionals provided answers to the health questions. Professionals, the majority in non-medical services, appeared to be poorly informed about whether certain co-occurring conditions were more frequent in autistic adults than typical adults-especially some medical conditions, suicide attempts, accidents, and pain. A minority of autistic adults reported preventive health behaviors such as routine health check-ups. The majority of users and providers expressed the desire to make health care services more user-friendly for autistic adults. Among the three groups, <20% of responders knew an organization or clinician which has developed a way to monitor health, and prevent poor health, that works well for adults on the autism spectrum. The results point to means for better management of co-occurring conditions associated with autism in adulthood in order to reduce hospital admissions and potential areas of improvement in health and social services for autistic adults. Specifically, efforts should be focused on (1) professionals' education on risks for co-occurring conditions in autistic adults; (2) promoting preventive health behaviors; (3) making services user-friendly for autistic adults and their families; and (4) encouraging knowledge of good local services.
There is very little knowledge regarding autistic adult services, practices, and delivery. The study objective was to improve understanding of current services and practices for autistic adults and ...opportunities for improvement as part of the Autism Spectrum Disorder in the European Union (ASDEU) project. Separate survey versions were created for autistic adults, carers of autistic adults, and professionals in adult services. 2,009 persons responded to the survey and 1,085 (54%) of them completed at least one of the services sections: 469 autistic adults (65% female; 55%
<
35 years old), 441 carers of autistic adults (27% female; 6%
<
35 years old), 175 professionals in adult services (76% female; 67% in non-medical services). Top choices by autistic adults, carers or professionals for services best suiting their current needs were: residential services: “help in own home” (adults, carers of high independent adults, professionals), “fulltime residential facility” (carers of low independent adults); employment services: “job mentors” (adults, carers of high independent adults, professionals), “Sheltered employment” (carers of low independent adults); education services: “support in regular education setting” (all groups); financial services: financial support in lieu of employment (“Supplementary income for persons unable to have full employment” for adults, “full pension” for carers of low independent adults) or to supplement employment earnings for carers of high independent adults and professionals; social services: “behavior training” (adults) and “life skills training” (carers and professionals). Waiting times for specific services were generally < 1 month or 1–3 months, except for residential services which could be up to 6 months; most professionals were uninformed of waiting times (>50% responded “don’t know”). Five of seven residential services features recommended for autistic adults were experienced by <50% of adults. The knowledge of good local services models that work well for autistic adults was generally low across all services areas. The variation in services experiences and perceptions reported by autistic adults, carers, or professionals underscore the need to query all groups for a complete picture of community services availability and needs. The results showed areas for potential improvement in autistic adult services delivery in the EU to achieve recommended standards.
Over the last several years there has been an increasing focus on early detection of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), not only from the scientific field but also from professional associations and ...public health systems all across Europe. Not surprisingly, in order to offer better services and quality of life for both children with ASD and their families, different screening procedures and tools have been developed for early assessment and intervention. However, current evidence is needed for healthcare providers and policy makers to be able to implement specific measures and increase autism awareness in European communities. The general aim of this review is to address the latest and most relevant issues related to early detection and treatments. The specific objectives are (1) analyse the impact, describing advantages and drawbacks, of screening procedures based on standardized tests, surveillance programmes, or other observational measures; and (2) provide a European framework of early intervention programmes and practices and what has been learnt from implementing them in public or private settings. This analysis is then discussed and best practices are suggested to help professionals, health systems and policy makers to improve their local procedures or to develop new proposals for early detection and intervention programmes.
So far no standardized screening instrument for autism spectrum disorders for adults has been developed in Poland. The main aim of the study was to explore the properties of the Polish version of the ...Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), especially its reliability and discriminating power. The second purpose was to establish whether the pattern of sex and area of study differences in the amount of autistic traits found in other countries also exist in Poland. The groups in the study included students (n = 2819), adults with ASD (n = 60) and a non-clinical sample (n = 60) matched with the ASD group for age, sex, education and place of residence. The Polish version of AQ proved to be reliable, although--as in studies conducted in other countries--the internal consistency coefficients for subscales (with exception for social skill) were low. ASD diagnosis was the most powerful determinant of AQ scores. Sex differences in autistic traits and a relationship between autistic traits and area of study were found.
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