The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R): A Scale to Assist the Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults: An International Validation Study

The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R) is a valid and reliable instrument to assist the diagnosis of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The 80-question scale was administered to 779 subjects (201 ASD and 578 comparisons). All ASD subjects met inclusion criteria: DSM-IV-TR, ADI/ADOS diagnoses and standardized IQ testing. Mean scores for each of the questions and total mean ASD vs. the comparison groups’ scores were significantly different (p < .0001). Concurrent validity with Constantino Social Responsiveness Scale-Adult = 95.59%. Sensitivity = 97%, specificity = 100%, test–retest reliability r = .987. Cronbach alpha coefficients for the subscales and 4 derived factors were good. We conclude that the RAADS-R is a useful adjunct diagnostic tool for adults with ASD

A Trial of a Cognitive Behavioural Intervention for Problems with Affectionate Communication in Children with Asperger Syndrome

Abstract Children with Asperger syndrome have marked impairments in understanding affection and expressing appropriate levels or types of affection. Affectionate behaviour that comes naturally to typically developing people generally requires a great deal of effort for those with Asperger syndrome. These difficulties could potentially have a negative impact on the child and those around them (e.g., parental distress, poor interpersonal relationships, abuse, and legal issues). The present research was exploratory in nature and aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioural intervention, ‘Exploring Feelings: Affection’, which targets difficulties with affectionate communication in children with Asperger syndrome. Two studies, a pilot study and a trial of the intervention, were conducted. The aim of the pilot study was to identify any problems with the programme prior to conducting the trial. The purpose of the trial was to address two research questions. Firstly, what is the nature of the relationship between affectionate communication in Asperger syndrome and: (a) tactile sensitivity, (b) social ability, (c) child anxiety, (d) parenting stress, and (e) parental distress? Secondly, can the cognitive-behavioural intervention produce improvements in children with Asperger syndrome’s understanding and expression of affection? Twenty-one children (aged 7 to 12 years) were included in the trial. The children participated in five 2-hour weekly sessions while parents participated in a larger parent group. The results showed significant correlations between measures of affection and tactile sensitivity, social ability, child anxiety, parenting stress, and parental distress. The findings further indicated that after attending the 5-week programme parents did not report significant changes in their children’s general difficulties with affectionate communication or in the number of affectionate behaviours with which children experienced difficulty. There were, however, significant increases in the overall appropriateness of children’s affectionate behaviour both towards their immediate family and towards people outside their immediate family, but there were no significant improvements in the appropriateness of children’s responses to the affection they received from others. A marked increase was reported in the number of children that were described by parents as engaging in more adequate levels of affectionate behaviour both towards their parents and towards individuals outside their immediate family. Moreover, there was a significant improvement in the children’s understanding regarding the purpose of affection. Parents’ confidence in dealing with difficult affection behaviours did not change significantly over the course of the intervention. All these findings were maintained at 3-month follow-up. The present research produced valuable information and added to the literature on affectionate communication in children with Asperger syndrome. It appears that the ‘Exploring Feelings: Affection’ programme may be a useful intervention for improving affectionate behaviour in some children with Asperger syndrome

Topically applied Terminalia sericea (Combretaceae) leaf extract and terminoic acid on infected wounds lead to better wound healing outcomes than gentamicin in an animal model

Plants are well-known sources of compounds with biological activity and thus have been used by mankind for centuries as medicines. Terminalia sericea occurs widely in southern Africa in sandy soils. It has been used traditionally to treat abscesses and wounds. This study investigated the antibacterial properties and wound healing activity of an acetone leaf extract of Terminalia sericea and terminoic acid, an isolated compound. The backs of 10 Wistar rats were shaved and incisions made in four different areas to which the two treatments, a positive control (gentamicin) and no treatment, were applied 48 hours after the wounds were superficially infected with Staphyloccocus aureus. The wounds were monitored for exudate formation, erythema and size, daily for five days. The leaf extract and terminoic acid treatment had positive effects on the exudate production and erythema, superior to gentamicin treatment and the negative control over the treatment period. All treatments had an effect on the size of the wounds after five days. The effects of the treatment may be attributed to the modulation of wound healing by pathways other than, or in addition to, antibacterial action of phytochemical constituents. This study shows that the extracts have the potential for pharmaceutical development into topical formulations for possible use in wound treatment.The National Research Foundation to JNE.http://www.satnt.ac.zaam2019Paraclinical Science

Interaksie in die pastoraat : 'n psigo-pastorale ondersoek na die teorie van interaksie en die implikasie hiervan vir die pastorale bediening

Proefskrif (M. Th.) -- Universiteit van Stellenbosch, 1982.Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record

Increasing the understanding and demonstration of appropriate affection in children with Asperger syndrome: A pilot trial

The study was conducted to examine relationships between affectionate behavior in children with Asperger syndrome and variables likely to influence its expression (e.g., tactile sensitivity, social ability). It also evaluated the impact of a cognitive behavioral intervention that aimed to improve a child's understanding and expression of affection. Twenty-one children, aged 7 to 12 years, participated in the trial. The results showed significant correlations between measures of affection and tactile sensitivity and social ability. After attending the 5-week program, parents identified significant increases in the appropriateness of children's affectionate behavior both towards immediate family and people outside the immediate family, despite reporting no significant changes in their child's general difficulties with affectionate behavior. There was a significant improvement in children's understanding of the purpose of affection. The findings are discussed as well as the limitations of the study

The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R): a scale to assist the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in adults: an international validation study.

The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R) is a valid and reliable instrument to assist the diagnosis of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The 80-question scale was administered to 779 subjects (201 ASD and 578 comparisons). All ASD subjects met inclusion criteria: DSM-IV-TR, ADI/ADOS diagnoses and standardized IQ testing. Mean scores for each of the questions and total mean ASD vs. the comparison groups' scores were significantly different (p&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;.0001). Concurrent validity with Constantino Social Responsiveness Scale-Adult&nbsp;=&nbsp;95.59%. Sensitivity&nbsp;=&nbsp;97%, specificity&nbsp;=&nbsp;100%, test-retest reliability r&nbsp;=&nbsp;.987. Cronbach alpha coefficients for the subscales and 4 derived factors were good. We conclude that the RAADS-R is a useful adjunct diagnostic tool for adults with ASD