Browsing by Author "Fletcher-Watson, S."
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- Attitudes of the autism community to early autism researchPublication . Fletcher-Watson, S.; Apicella, F.; Auyeung, B.; Beranova, S.; Bonnet-Brilhault, F.; Canal-Bedia, R.; Charman, T.; Chericoni, N.; Conceição, I.C.; Davies, K.; Farroni, T.; Gomot, M.; Jones, E; Kaale, A.; Kapica, K.; Kawa, R.; Kylliäinen, A.; Larsen, K.; Lefort-Besnard, J.; Malvy, J.; Manso de Dios, S.; Markovska-Simoska, S.; Millo, I.; Miranda, N.; Pasco, G.; Pisula, E.; Raleva, M.; Rogé, B.; Salomone, E.; Schjolberg, S.; Tomalski, P.; Vicente, A.M.; Yirmiya, N.Investigation into the earliest signs of autism in infants has become a significant sub-field of autism research. This work invokes specific ethical concerns such as use of 'at-risk' language, communicating study findings to parents and the future perspective of enrolled infants when they reach adulthood. This study aimed to ground this research field in an understanding of the perspectives of members of the autism community. Following focus groups to identify topics, an online survey was distributed to autistic adults, parents of children with autism and practitioners in health and education settings across 11 European countries. Survey respondents (n = 2317) were positively disposed towards early autism research, and there was significant overlap in their priorities for the field and preferred language to describe infant research participants. However, there were also differences including overall less favourable endorsement of early autism research by autistic adults relative to other groups and a dislike of the phrase 'at-risk' to describe infant participants, in all groups except healthcare practitioners. The findings overall indicate that the autism community in Europe is supportive of early autism research. Researchers should endeavour to maintain this by continuing to take community perspectives into account.
- Use of early intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder across EuropePublication . Salomone, E.; Beranová, Š.; Bonnet-Brilhault, F.; Briciet Lauritsen, M.; Budisteanu, M.; Buitelaar, J.; Canal-Bedia, R.; Felhosi, G.; Fletcher-Watson, S.; Freitag, C.; Fuentes, J.; Gallagher, L.; Garcia Primo, P.; Gliga, F.; Gomot, M.; Green, J.; Heimann, M.; Jónsdóttir, S.L.; Kaale, A.; Kawa, R.; Kylliainen, A.; Lemcke, S.; Markovska-Simoska, S.; Marschik, P.B.; McConachie, H.; Moilanen, I.; Muratori, F.; Narzisi, A.; Noterdaeme, M.; Oliveira, G.; Oosterling, I.; Pijl, M.; Pop-Jordanova, N.; Poustka, L.; Roeyers, H; Rogé, B.; Sinzig, J.; Vicente, A.M.; Warreyn, P.; Charman, T.Little is known about use of early interventions for autism spectrum disorder in Europe. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder aged 7 years or younger (N = 1680) were recruited through parent organisations in 18 European countries and completed an online survey about the interventions their child received. There was considerable variation in use of interventions, and in some countries more than 20% of children received no intervention at all. The most frequently reported interventions were speech and language therapy (64%) and behavioural, developmental and relationship-based interventions (55%). In some parts of Europe, use of behavioural, developmental and relationship-based interventions was associated with higher parental educational level and time passed since diagnosis, rather than with child characteristics. These findings highlight the need to monitor use of intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder in Europe in order to contrast inequalities
- What do parents of children with autism expect from participation in research? A community survey about early autism studiesPublication . Fletcher-Watson, S.; Larsen, K.; Salomone, E.; Members of the COST ESSEA Working GroupsEngagement with stakeholders is an essential part of the research process. This is particularly the case for early autism research with infant cohorts and their families, where a range of ethical issues are pertinent. Here, we report on a large survey of parents who have a child on the autism spectrum (n = 1040) which specifically probed attitudes to early autism research. The large majority of parents showed positive attitudes overall, and these were associated with greater access to services, higher service quality ratings and higher rates of intellectual disability among their children. Parents valued the scientific goals of research, but half of parents also reported that an intervention component would be an essential prerequisite for them to participate in research. If enrolled in a study, parents were positive about most commonly used measures though less favourably disposed towards brain scans for children. They valued direct contact with the research team and openness in data sharing. We interpret our findings in terms of lessons for the early autism research community and for stakeholder engagement projects.