Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Conversations With Health Care Providers And Parents Before Autism Diagnosis: A Qualitative Study, Norah L. Johnson, Wendy Krueger, Elizabeth Jilek, Kristin Haglund

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to explore communication with health care providers from the perceptions of parents before their child's diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and provide some examples of how communication may contribute to the autism diagnosis.

Method

This study used a qualitative descriptive design with multiple individual structured in-person interviews.

Results

Three themes captured parents’ (n = 8) descriptions of the phases of communication during their children's diagnoses including, (1) anguished questioning, (2) urgently seeking help, and (3) expecting a diagnosis. In addition, three themes characterized the communication style that parents needed, although not always …

Examining The Durability Of Peers For Adolescents With Asd: Maintenance Of Neurological And Behavioral Effects, Bridget Kathleen Dolan

Dissertations (1934 -)

To date, there are no known published studies that have assessed the maintenance of treatment effects in the context of neurological changes and their relationship to behavioral outcomes following a social skills intervention for adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The few studies that have incorporated long-term assessment into their design have focused exclusively on sustained behavioral responses to treatment. Individuals with ASD across the lifespan exhibit aberrant neural activity, which is thought to underlie social skill deficits noted in persons on the spectrum. Thus, this study sought to examine the impact of a social skills intervention, the Program for …

Translating Research To Practice For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Part I: Definition, Associated Behaviors, Prevalence, Diagnostic Process, And Interventions, Norah L. Johnson, Karen Burkett, Judy Reinhold, Margaret W. Bultas

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

The number of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rising, along with the potential for challenging behaviors during health care encounters.

Method

We present an overview of the emerging science related to ASD diagnosis and interventions for children with ASD.

Results

Emerging science on ASD reveals common associated challenging behaviors, increasing prevalence, emphasis on early diagnosis at 18 to 24 months of age, changes in the diagnostic process with criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, and interventions with medication, education, and behavior management.

Discussion

Family and health care provider preparation strategies facilitate …

Translating Research To Practice For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Part 2: Behavior Management In Home And Health Care Settings, Margaret W. Bultas, Norah L. Johnson, Karen Burkett, Judy Reinhold

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

Managing home and health care for children with autism spectrum disorder can be challenging because of the range of symptoms and behaviors exhibited.

Method

This article presents an overview of the emerging science related to the methods to foster family self-management of common concerns regarding activities of daily living and behaviors, as well as for the health care provider in primary and acute health care settings.

Results

Recommendations are provided to enhance the overall delivery of services, including understanding and managing a child's challenging behaviors, and supporting family management of common activities of daily living and behaviors.

Discussion

Health …

Effect Of A Social Script Ipad Application For Children With Autism Going To Imaging, Norah L. Johnson, Octavia Bree, Erin E. Lalley, Kelly Rettler, Pam Grande, Md O. Gani, Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

This randomized controlled trial feasibility study tested the effectiveness of an iPad® application (app) social script intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) going to imaging and their parent (n = 32 parent/child dyads). Parents of the children exposed to the app (n = 16) had lower state anxiety compared to the parents whose children were not exposed to the app (n = 16) (effect size 0.33). Children exposed to the app had fewer externalized challenging behaviors than the control group (effect size 0.56). The results demonstrate feasibility and efficacy of the intervention. Further study of …

Lack Of Father Involvement In Research On Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Maternal Parenting Stress And Family Functioning, Norah L. Johnson, Pippa Simpson

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has an estimated prevalence of greater than 1% of people in the US. Caring for children with ASD is stressful and challenging for parents. The purpose of the study is to understand the ramifications of the findings of a spouse/father's lack of participation for a study focused on stress and family functioning that attempted to recruit both parents of a child with ASD. The Kruskal-Wallis test compared medians of three groups of mothers of children with ASD in order to assess differences in parenting stress and family functioning discrepancy depending on their marital status and spouse …

Genomics And Autism Spectrum Disorder, Norah L. Johnson

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: To present the current state of the evidence regarding translation of genetics (the study of single genes) and genomics (the study of all genes and gene-gene or gene-environment interactions) into health care of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Methods: This article presents an overview of ASD as an international health challenge, the emerging science related to broad diagnostic criteria, and the role of the nurse in research, education, and practice.

Findings: Much progress is being made in the understanding of genetics and genomics of ASD. Environmental factors are thought to contribute to the risk of developing ASD by …

Genomics And Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Norah L. Johnson, Ellen Giarelli, Catherine E. Rice

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: To understand the current state of the evidence regarding translation of genetics and genomics into nursing care of children with (ASD).

Effects On Resilience Of Caregivers Of Persons With Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role Of Positive Cognitions, Abir K. Bekhet, Norah L. Johnson, Jaclene A. Zauszniewski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

BACKGROUND: Approximately 2.8 million people in the United States are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Family caregivers manage many aspects of their care, which is demanding, overwhelming, and can affect their mental health. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of caregiver burden (risk factor) and positive cognitions (protective factors) on resourcefulness(resilience indicator) in 95 caregivers of persons with ASD. DESIGN: Descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional. RESULTS: Positive cognitions explained 32% of the variance in resourcefulness, F(1, 93) = 44.49, p < .001, and as positive cognitions increased, caregivers’ resourcefulness increased. A substantial drop in the beta weight of caregiver burden from B = −.36 to −.04 when positive cognitions was entered the equation suggested that positive cognitions mediated the effect …