Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Unsupervised Machine Learning For Identifying Challenging Behavior Profiles To Explore Cluster-Based Treatment Efficacy In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Retrospective Data Analysis Study, Julie Gardner-Hoag, Marlena N. Novack, Chelsea Parlett-Pelleriti, Elizabeth Stevens, Dennis Dixon, Erik Linstead

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Challenging behaviors are prevalent among individuals with autism spectrum disorder; however, research exploring the impact of challenging behaviors on treatment response is lacking.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify types of autism spectrum disorder based on engagement in different challenging behaviors and evaluate differences in treatment response between groups.

Methods: Retrospective data on challenging behaviors and treatment progress for 854 children with autism spectrum disorder were analyzed. Participants were clustered based on 8 observed challenging behaviors using k means, and multiple linear regression was performed to test interactions between skill mastery and treatment …

Attributed Meanings And Strategies To Prevent Challenging Behaviors Of Hospitalized Children With Autism: Two Perspectives, Norah L. Johnson Phd, Rn, Cpnp, Abir K. Bekhet, Karen Marie Robinson, Dana Rodriguez

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

Understanding is limited of the meaning attributed to behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorder and strategies used to prevent challenging behaviors in the context of hospitalization.

Methods

This qualitative study consisted of two focus groups (n = 10; five mothers and five health care providers [HCPs]). Transcripts were analyzed using the qualitative method of narrative inquiry.

Results

The meaning attributed to behaviors by the mothers and the HCPs differed. The mothers attributed behaviors to the child's communication of frustration, hyperactivity, and self-calming. The HCPs attributed challenging behaviors to self-stimulation and child aggression. Strategies to prevent behaviors also …

Children With Developmental Disabilities At A Pediatric Hospital: Staff Education To Prevent And Manage Challenging Behaviors, Norah L. Johnson, Joel Lashley, Alice V. Stoneck, Annette Bonjour

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Children with developmental disabilities may get frustrated in unpredictable hospital environments. Frustration may escalate to challenging behaviors, which are a safety concern and may contribute to staff and patient injuries, use of restraints, and procedure delay or cancelations. The purpose of this article was to describe a pilot staff education program on preventing and managing challenging behaviors of children with developmental disabilities at a pediatric hospital. The 2-hour-long education (1 hour on-line and 1 hour instructor led) content focused on family-centered care and communication skills, including verbal judo™ modified for use in the health care setting. Participants in the instructor-led …