IWGA's Review of Research | June 30, 2016
OCALI is pleased to provide a monthly update on current research and study outcomes from an array of professional publications.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact:

Melissa H. Bacon, OCALI Program Director – Policy and Interagency Collaboration
470 E. Glenmont Ave. | Columbus, OH 43214 | (614) 578-6630 (cell)
OBTAIN NEEDED SERVICES

Pickard, K. E., Wainer, A. L., Bailey, K. M., & Ingersoll, B. R. (2016). A mixed-method evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth-based intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism. doi: 10.1177/1362361315614496.
 
28 parents of children with ASD used an interactive, telehealth program that teaches parents to promote their child's social communication in routines and play. One group met with a therapist for 30 minutes twice-weekly over Skype. The other group used the interactive, telehealth program only. Results were:

  • Parents in both groups reported positive experiences with their own competence and their child's social communication skills.
  • Parents who had a therapist found the therapist essential; those who did not have a therapist, thought that a therapist would be helpful.
  • No differences between the two groups' perceptions on: (a) acceptability of the intervention, (b) burden on the family, (c) frequency of program use, and
    (d) child progress.
OBTAIN NEEDED SKILLS

Albright, K., Barnard, J., O'Leary, S., Federico, S., Saville, A., Lockhart, S., Lee, M., Eblovi, D., Dickinson, M., Kile, D., & Kempe, A. (2016). School-based health centers as medical homes: Parents' and adolescents' perspectives. American Pediatrics, 16(4), 381-386.
 
30 Spanish-speaking and English-speaking parents and 62 adolescents were interviewed regarding school-based mental health centers (SBHC). Parents and adolescents reported:

  • They were satisfied with the quality and use of SBHC services.
  • SBHCs were highly accessible and family-centered.
  • Many students preferred SBHC over PCP because of (a) trustworthiness,
    (b) compassion, (c) care coordination, (d) comprehensiveness of care,
    (e) continuous care, and (f) high quality of care.
  • Some Spanish-speaking parents reported that communication could be improved.

DEVELOP THE SKILLS TO SUCCEED

Turcotte, P., Mathew, M., Shea, L. L., Brusilovsky, E., & Nonnemacher, S. L. (2016). Service needs across the lifespan for individuals with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46, 2480-2489.
 
3,340 caregivers of individuals with a Medicaid reimbursement claim associated with ASD in Pennsylvania completed a survey. They identified the largest unmet needs:

  • Adults: (a) speech/language therapy, (b) occupational therapy, and
    (c) social skills training.
  • Middle/high school students: (a) social skills training, (b) occupational therapy, and (c) one-to-one support.
  • Elementary school students: (a) social skills training, (b) occupational therapy, and (c) neurology services.
  • Preschool students: (a) social skills training, (b) neurology services, and
    (c) physical therapy.

STRENGTHEN SUPPORT ALONG THE WAY

Pickard, K. E., & Ingersoll, B. R. (2016). Quality versus quantity: The role of socioeconomic status on parent-reported service knowledge, service use, unmet service needs, and barriers to service use. Autism, 1, 106-115.
 
244 parents were asked about their child's autism and services. Parents were divided into two groups: low socioeconomic status (SES) and high SES.

  • Parents of both low and high SES understand their child's basic ASD needs.
  • Low SES parents needed more information about services, including home-based services.
  • Low and high SES parents both experienced barriers that included:
    (a) finances, (b) limited information/knowledge, (c) parent schedule, and
    (d) waitlists.
  • High SES parents used ASD services because they were more knowledgeable about services.

STRENGTHEN SUPPORT ALONG THE WAY

Levy, S. E., Frasso, R., Colantonio, S., Reed, H., Stein, G., Barg, F. K., Mandell, D. S., & Fiks, A. G. (2016). Shared decision-making and treatment decision for young children with autism spectrum disorder. American Pediatrics. DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2016.04.007.
 
20 parents of children with autism and 20 clinicians reported the following about medical home:

  • Pediatricians have knowledge gaps about ASD treatments and community resources.
  • The role of pediatricians in shared-decision making and treatment is ill-defined.
  • Use of complementary and alternative medical (CAM) treatments created conflict between parents and physicians. As a result, parents may pursue these treatments without discussing safety and efficacy with pediatricians.
  • Limited discussion regarding treatment choices occurs between pediatricians and parents.
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