Alireza Mohseni Ezhiyeh , Ahmad Abedi, Nasrin Behnamnejad,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (8-2015)
Abstract
Objectives: The present study has been performed with the aim of designing and evaluating the psychometric properties of Autism Spectrum Disorders Diagnosis Scale (ASDDS). Method: This study is an instrumental and validity evaluation. The statistical community of the research consisted of all children with autism spectrum who live in Isfahan. Among them, 100 patients were selected by method of convenient sampling, and also their mothers or trainers were asked for responding the scales of study. The tools of data gathering included demographic information and a researcher-made scale named Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis Scale (ASDDS) according to reversion of DSM-5. Also, Giliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS) and Children Autism Rating Scale (CARS) were used for evaluating the concurrent validity. Results: The results of the psychometrics of the scale indicated appropriate content, convergent and diagnostic validity, and internal consistency as well as the scale stability over the time. The correlation coefficient between sub-scales showed very high correlation between the sub-scales. The results obtained from the confirmatory factorial analysis indicated that the DSM-5 model is appropriate for scale. In addition, the general reliability of the scale by using of Cronbach's alpha was 0.88. Conclusion: the results demonstrated that Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis Scale (ASDDS) is a suitable tool for diagnosing autism spectrum disorders based on DSM-5 in children and adolescents.
Mitra Hakim Shooshtari, Hadi Zarafshan, Mehrdad Mohamadian, Jamileh Zareee, Issa Karimi Keisomi, Helia Hooshangi,
Volume 25, Issue 4 (1-2020)
Abstract
Objectives: Early interventions can play an important role in alleviating or eliminating many of the major symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and enhancing new skills. Parental education can reduce the parents' depression and stress and increase their empowerment. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a parental education program the mental health of parents, behavioral problems of their children with ASD.
Methods: A group of 30 parents of children with ASD in Tehran, Iran were selected by a convenience sampling and were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The parents in the intervention group received psychoeducational program according to Tonge et al.'s (2006) method in 10 sessions each for 90 min in Tehran Psychiatric Institute. Data collection tools were the Family Assessment Device, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Billings and Mouse's Coping Strategies Scale, and 28-item General Health Questionnaire. All participants were evaluated at three stages of pretest, posttest, and 3-month follow-up.
Results: The effect of parental education program on the clinical symptoms and its dimensions was significant at three measurement phases. In the 3-month follow-up duration, the results remained unchanged. There were a significant difference between the two study groups in general health, family function, coping strategies, and child behavior (F=4.859, P=0.023).
Conclusion: Parental education can improve the mental health of parents and reduce the behavioral problems of their ASD children.
