What parents want: A qualitative analysis of a parent-implemented intervention for autistic children

Background and aims Guidelines regarding social cognitive interventions for autistic children suggest incorporating a holistic approach. This includes increasing the family’s understanding of difficulties associated with autism, integrations of natural environments, and parents as active agents in the intervention while being supported for their well-being. The current availability of holistic parent-implemented interventions for autistic children is limited, with no qualitative understanding of how parents view the benefits for themselves or their children. Method The current study expands the literature regarding holistic approaches through a qualitative understanding of parent perceptions of a parent-implemented social communication intervention for autistic children (TalkAbility™), which incorporates a 6-month follow-up. This study sought to gain a deeper understanding from parents on their perceptions of a holistic approach, including the impact on themselves, their families, and their autistic child. Results Following Braun and Clarke’s model of thematic analysis, data was coded into four themes: (a) communication difficulties, frustrations, and progress, (b) social relationships and concerns, (c) communication strategies, and (d) thoughts and emotions surrounding TalkAbility™. Conclusions Parents report that many components of a holistic approach are instrumental in encouraging social communication in their autistic child. Results highlight the importance of considering parent experiences regarding interventions for their child’s social communication skills through a qualitative viewpoint. Implications Knowing the intervention aspects that parents view as most valuable allows targeted program modifications that reflect actual parent needs. Further understanding regarding the influence of holistic parent-implemented social communication interventions on child communication skills, parenting frustrations, and parent–child relationships is needed

Early social communicative skills as predictors of symptom severity in autism spectrum disorder

Background and aims Early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, while providing many benefits, also presents challenges. Accurately predicting symptom severity allows clinicians to confidently diagnose and assign the most appropriate intervention. Little available research predicts symptom severity in children with autism spectrum disorder who have not been exposed to significant levels of intervention. Methods The present file review study examined preverbal skills as predictors of symptom severity, approximately one year later, in a group of young children (18–64 months) with autism spectrum disorder ( n  = 199). Results Of the two core diagnostic features (social communicative deficits and restricted repetitive behaviors), social communicative skills best predicted symptom severity. Furthermore, social communicative gestures predicted symptom severity after age, adaptive behavior, restricted repetitive behaviors, and functional gestures had been accounted for. Conclusions Social communicative gestures are excellent predictors of future symptom severity independent of intervention effects in very young children with autism spectrum disorder. Implications Previously, the social aspect of gestures has been missing in the literature on language and symptom prediction in children with autism spectrum disorder. Careful attention to social communicative gestures in the future may help with early diagnosis and more accurate predictions of symptom and developmental trajectories

Transfer, control, and automatic processing in a complex motor task : an examination of bounce juggling

Comparaison de l'apprentissage du jonglage avec rebond de la balle sur le sol chez des sujets déjà expérimentés en jonglage en cascade et des sujets totalement débutants, pour analyser la dynamique du transfert d'apprentissage et de l'automatisatio