Resiliency Intervention for Siblings of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Pilot Trial.

Background /objectives: Neurotypical siblings (NT siblings) of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at elevated risk for emotional distress and adjustment problems. Resiliency is the ability to cope and adapt with ongoing stressors. We conducted a randomized waitlist-controlled pilot trial to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an adapted virtual mind-body resiliency group intervention for teen NT siblings of children with ASD.

Acceptability of A Virtual Mind-Body Group Intervention for Teen Siblings of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Teenage siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at risk of worse mental health outcomes than their peers, yet there have been few interventions focused on improving their psychosocial wellbeing. This study explored the acceptability of an 8-session virtual group mind-body resiliency intervention for teen siblings of children with ASD. We used mixed methods to assess quantitative and qualitative survey results.

Association of Neighborhood Characteristics With Pediatric Asthma.

Objective: To examine associations between neighborhood characteristics and asthma prevalence and severity among low-income children in a large nationally representative sample.

Methods: Data source: 2018 National Survey of Children's Health, limited to low-income children, ages 0-17 years. We grouped parent responses about neighborhood characteristics into 5 scores: neighborhood support, safety, resources and quality, and a total score.

Facilitator Reflections on Shared Expertise and Adaptive Leadership in ECHO Autism: Center Engagement.

Introduction: Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) is used to increase provider capacity in a wide range of health care specialties. ECHO Autism: Center Engagement is a program that promotes improvement in autism care by improving the management of autism care centers. The program's focus brought experienced clinicians together as both facilitators and participants in an ECHO series.

Challenges and Growth: Lived Experience of Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with a Sibling with ASD.

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) siblings of individuals with autism experience unique challenges that can promote both growth and emotional maladjustment. This study explored sibling and parent reports of siblings' lived experiences and identified learning, stressors, and concerns from those experiences. 20 neurotypical (NT) AYA siblings (ages 13-24), and 21 parents were interviewed.

Emergency Department Utilization of Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This study examined emergency department (ED) utilization by adolescents and young adults, 12-30 years of age (AYA) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using the 2016 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project/National Emergency Department Sample (HCUP/NEDS). We investigated the principal reason for an ED visit, presence of an ambulatory care sensitive condition (ACSC), and likelihood of hospital admission following ED encounter in ASD and Non-ASD cohorts. The ASD cohort had a higher proportion of ED visits for ACSC diagnoses as compared to the Non-ASD cohort.

Addressing a Gap in Healthcare Access for Transition-Age Youth with Autism: A Pilot Educational Intervention for Family Nurse Practitioner Students.

A mixed-methods randomized controlled trial pilot study evaluated an educational curriculum focused on the medical needs of transition-age youth (TAY) with autism (ASD) for family nurse practitioner students. Fourteen out of a cohort of 16 (87.5%) nursing students consented to participate in the study and were randomly assigned to either a waitlist control group (WLC) (n = 8) or an intervention group (INT) (n = 6).

A Pilot Study of Autism-Specific Care Plans During Hospital Admission.

Background And Objective: Hospital admissions can be difficult for patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We created an autism-specific care plan (ACP) to help improve the hospital experience for patients with ASD, and we tested feasibility and acceptability and compared the experience of care for children with and without an ACP.

Methods: We performed a nonrandomized, retrospective chart review of all patients with ASD and a hospital admission from January 2013 to December 2013 (n = 142) to determine feasibility of the intervention.

Brief report: Emergency department utilization by individuals with autism.

To identify medical problems most commonly presenting to emergency departments among individuals with autism as compared to non-autistic persons across age groups. Data was obtained from the 2010 National Emergency Department database and was analyzed by age categories: 3-5, 6-11, 12-15, 16-18 and 19 years and older. Epilepsy emerged as the leading presenting diagnosis among those with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ages 16-19 years and 19 over.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in a large clinical sample of children with autism.

Background: Overweight and obesity are major pediatric public health problems in the United States; however, limited data exist on the prevalence and correlates of overnutrition in children with autism.

Methods: Through a large integrated health care system's patient database, we identified 6672 children ages 2 to 20 years with an assigned ICD-9 code of autism (299.0), Asperger syndrome (299.

Addressing dental fear in children with autism spectrum disorders: a randomized controlled pilot study using electronic screen media.

Background: Dental care is a significant unmet health care need for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Many children with ASD do not receive dental care because of fear associated with dental procedures; oftentimes they require general anesthesia for regular dental procedures, placing them at risk of associated complications. Many children with ASD have a strong preference for visual stimuli, particularly electronic screen media.

The needs of hospitalized patients with autism spectrum disorders: a parent survey.

Objective: This survey assessed the in-hospital needs of patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

Methods: Parents were recruited to complete a 21-item survey about the needs of their child with an ASD while in the hospital. ASD diagnosis was reported by parents at the time of the survey.