Research that Benefits Children and Families

 

We are looking towards evidence based practises to facilitate supports to support children and their families. For some children, supports can entail learning through play which enhances language, social skills, creativity, and cognitive processes. There are children who require more intensive supports, to maximise upon the development and training during the early years. Children with a diagnosis of pervasive development delay such an Autism benefit from specialised intervention that is offered by professionals and parents to maximise the impact.

According to the Autism Canada foundation, person with Autism may present with a variety of atypical communication and social skills. These individuals may also experience impacted sleep, eating and cognitive functioning. Although every child is different, research has supported the importance of early intervention in developing and sustaining improvement in developmental domains beyond the early years (Lopez, 2013).

The extensive research that has been conducted with children with Autism has demonstrated that, with specialised supports, children can increase levels of independence. To many families this can mean the difference of being able to meet their child’s needs within the family home. Rutter (1995) has studied the impact that disabilities can have upon the family unit. Research supports strategies that help to develop competency and improve family capacity. Assessment can be lengthy requiring the child and family to meet with medical professionals over a series of days.

Families may be devastated to learn that their child has a special need. when searching for a "cure", families may do desperate things.  It is important to employ evidence based practises as well as common sense. as they know their child the best.   As may families may see their children cry or temper tantrum when expected to follow through on routine requests, families must understand that this is part of the process to enhance capacity.  the child who is left on their own to play on the computer or watch television, will not improve on their own ( Autism Speaks, 2013). 

I know families, who have seen tremendous improvements in their child ability to make eye contact, communicate and participate in routine family activities such a supper.  There is nothing more exciting than to hear a parent report that their child has hugged them spontaneously or is choosing to engage in play rather self-stimulating behaviours.


In Edmonton, Alberta, we have the Glenrose Hospital with a team of professionals who specialise in the early detection of Autism within individual age 2 and up. Members of this team are also working with families, and children.  they employ interview, observations and technology to assess developmental milestones,  social communication, behaviour and family history to establish ways to detect the conditions before age two (Zwaigenbaum, Bryson, Lord, Rogers, Carter, Carver, and Yirmiya, 2009).

 

 

Sources

 Autism Canada Foundation (2011) Characteristics.  Retrieved November 14, 2013 from http://www.autismcanada.org/aboutautism/characteristics.htm

Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks It's Time To Listen (2013). 100 Day Kit.  Retrieved from http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/100-day-kit

López, B. (2013). Beyond modularisation: the need of a socio-neuro-constructionist model of autism. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 1-11.doi: 10.1177/1362361303007001005

Parent and Baby with Book Retrieved November 15, 2013 from http://blogs.rch.org.au/ccch/2011/08/19/parents-and-children-can-bond-over-a-book/

Parent and Child.  Retrieved November 15, 2013 from  http://www.indianexpress.com/news/matrimonial-dispute-harms-childrens-mind-body-court/401906/

Rutter, M. (1995). Clinical Implications of Attachment Concepts: Retrospect and Prospect*. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 36(4), 549-571.

Zwaigenbaum, L., Bryson, S., Lord, C., Rogers, S., Carter, A., Carver, L, .... & Yirmiya, N. (2009). Clinical assessment and management of toddlers with suspected autism spectrum disorder: insights from studies of high-risk infants. Pediatrics, 123(5), 1383-1391.