Dataset Information

A systematic review of technological approaches for autism spectrum disorder assessment in children: Implications for the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Screening and diagnostic assessments tools for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are important to administer during childhood to facilitate timely entry into intervention services that can promote developmental outcomes across the lifespan. However, assessment services are not always readily available to families, as they require significant time and resources. Currently, in-person screening and diagnostic assessments for ASD are limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to be a concern for situations that limit in-person contact. Thus, it is important to expand the modalities in which child assessments are provided, including the use of technology.

Aims

This systematic review aims to identify technologies that screen or assess for ASD in 0-12 year-old children, summarizing the current state of the field and suggesting future directions.

Methods

An electronic database search was conducted to gather relevant articles to synthesize for this review.

Outcomes and results

16 studies reported use of novel technology to assess children suspected of ASD.

Conclusions and implications

Results strongly supported live-video evaluations, video observations, and online or phone methods, but there is a need for research targeting the feasibility of these methods as it applies to the stay-at-home orders required by the pandemic, and other situations that limit clients from seeing providers in-person.

SUBMITTER: Dahiya AV

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9761928 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

A systematic review of technological approaches for autism spectrum disorder assessment in children: Implications for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dahiya Angela V AV DeLucia Elizabeth E McDonnell Christina G CG Scarpa Angela A

Research in developmental disabilities 20210108

<h4>Background</h4>Screening and diagnostic assessments tools for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are important to administer during childhood to facilitate timely entry into intervention services that can promote developmental outcomes across the lifespan. However, assessment services are not always readily available to families, as they require significant time and resources. Currently, in-person screening and diagnostic assessments for ASD are limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will cont ...[more]

PMID: 33465590

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Project description:Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at elevated risk for psychiatric problems in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This risk is due to their high rates of pre-pandemic psychiatric comorbidities and the pandemic's disruption to routines and access to necessary supports. Prior research has indicated that children with ASD may experience a worsening of specific psychiatric symptoms in response to COVID-19, though this body of work is limited in scope. The present study expands this literature by examining specific types of psychiatric problems that emerged about 2 months after the onset of the pandemic, and risk factors predicting changes in these psychiatric symptoms. Parents of children with a confirmed ASD diagnosis (N = 257), who enrolled in a clinic registry at an outpatient specialty autism center, were included in this study. All data were gathered online via customized and standardized questionnaires. Results showed that 59% of children experienced either a worsening of their pre-pandemic psychiatric diagnoses and/or the development of new psychiatric symptoms during the pandemic. Multivariable regression models indicated that risk factors for increased psychiatric problems included child understanding of COVID-19, COVID-19 illness in the family, low family income, and elevated parental depression and anxiety symptoms (all p < 0.05). Findings from this study emphasize the urgent need to provide effective and accessible psychiatric services for children with ASD and their families during and after the pandemic. LAY SUMMARY: Children with ASD are at high risk for psychiatric problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that 59% of children in our clinical sample are experiencing increased psychiatric problems. The child's understanding of COVID-19, COVID-19 illness in the family, low family income, and depression and anxiety symptoms in the parent increase the risk for poor mental health during the pandemic. These findings indicate the importance of helping children with ASD access mental health treatment during COVID-19.

Dataset Information

A systematic review of technological approaches for autism spectrum disorder assessment in children: Implications for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

Aims

Methods

Outcomes and results

Conclusions and implications

Publications

A systematic review of technological approaches for autism spectrum disorder assessment in children: Implications for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Similar Datasets

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