• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2024

Purpose : The purpose of this study provided an overview of the general status and recent intervention approaches in overseas research related to feeding problems in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This review aims to explore interventions for feeding problems in order to provide higher quality follow-up research directions and implications, particularly focusing on providing recommendations for future research in the context of domestic studies. Methods : Analyzing studies published in international journals from 2017 to 2023. This review involved six selected articles, through Embase, Pubmed, RISS, KISS database search engine. A literature analysis that includes inclusion and exclusion criteria, six selected articles were examined. The literature analysis categorized the general status of the research and intervention approaches and treatment components into intervention, treatment settings and therapists, and dependent variables, respectively. Results : Among feeding intervention approaches, parent education interventions based on behavioral therapy had the highest proportion, followed by multidisciplinary interventions. To maintain the effectiveness of interventions over the long term and to generalize them to the home environment, parent education that utilizes parents as mediators is considered a crucial factor. The most commonly observed effects as dependent variables were changes in the consumption of disliked foods, health foods and alterations in feeding behavior. Conclusion : This study introduces various intervention approaches for addressing feeding problems in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), focusing on the positive effects demonstrated by active intervention research in abroad. Furthermore, it underscores the need for additional research in Korea to validate the efficacy of these feeding intervention methods. Lastly, the study outlines future research directions aimed at developing feeding programs to support children with ASD and their families coping with feeding issues.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.97-104
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• 2020

Deep learning (DL) is a kind of machine learning technique that uses artificial intelligence to identify the characteristics of given data and efficiently analyze large amounts of information to perform tasks such as classification and prediction. In the field of neuroimaging of neurodevelopmental disorders, various biomarkers for diagnosis, classification, prognosis prediction, and treatment response prediction have been examined; however, they have not been efficiently combined to produce meaningful results. DL can be applied to overcome these limitations and produce clinically helpful results. Here, we review studies that combine neurodevelopmental disorder neuroimaging and DL techniques to explore the strengths, limitations, and future directions of this research area.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.581-586
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• 2023

Recently a drama that features a lawyer with autism spectrum disorder has attracted a lot of attention, raising interest in the difficulties faced by people with autism spectrum disorders. If the Autism spectrum gets detected early and proper education and treatment, the prognosis can be improved, so the development of the treatment is urgently needed. Drugs currently used to treat autism spectrum often have side effects, so Digital Therapeutics that have no side effects and can be supplied in large quantities are drawing attention. In this paper, we introduce 'AEmotion', an application and a Digital Therapeutic that provides emotion and facial expression learning for toddlers with an autism spectrum disorder. This system is developed as an application for smartphones to increase interest in training autistic children and to test easily. Using machine learning, this system consists of three main stages: an 'emotion learning' step to learn emotions with facial expression cards, an 'emotion identification' step to check if the user understood emotions and facial expressions properly, and an 'expression training' step to make appropriate facial expressions. Through this system, it is expected that it will help autistic toddlers who have difficulties with social interactions by having problems recognizing facial expressions and emotions.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.115-128
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• 2023

This study examines the effects of a new app-based intervention program for conversational skills of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants in this study comprised 26 children diagnosed with autism, Asperger's syndrome, or pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Participants were randomly assigned into a treatment group or a control group according to their ages, IQ, SCQ, and ASSQ scores. The treatment group met with teachers once a week for a single non-face-to-face class for nine weeks, along with conversation training at home using an app. The control group did not participate in any specific programs for conversational skills. Conversation data of all participants were collected before and after the intervention to compare the two groups based on changes in the conversational turn-taking and topic manipulation skills. When analyzed with respect to a Group X Period analysis of variance (ANOVA), the data indicated maintenance on the rate of appropriate listener's verbal responses in the treatment group, whereas the rate of inappropriate listener's verbal response significantly declined in the control group. In addition, the rate of conversation initiation and maintenance and the rate of appropriate initiation improved in the treatment group, whereas the rate of inappropriate initiation declined in this group. Overall, the study demonstrates promising effects of the novel App-based digital intervention on verbal conversational skills in children with high function ASD.

• The Journal of Korea Assosiation for Disability and Oral Health
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.84-88
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• 2019

Malocclusion occurs more frequently in Special Health Care Needed (SHCN) patients than those in general. As caregiver's needs for orthodontic treatment tend to increase, the dentist should know how to decide the extent of treatment. This case report is about orthodontic treatment for two SHCN patients; one patient with cerebral palsy, and another patient with autism. A 10-year-old patient with cerebral palsy showed protrusion and rotation of maxillary anterior teeth. To resolve his chief complaints and make better oral hygiene, he underwent orthodontic treatment using micro tube appliances for 6 months. Another 11-year-old patient with autism had anterior crossbite and showed space deficiency of #13 and chronic gingivitis because of poor oral hygiene. She underwent orthodontic treatment with maxillary skeletal expander, facemask and AP expansion appliance. After 18 months we found positive overjet and ended the treatment. When giving SHCNs orthodontic treatment, the extent of treatment can be chosen according to the patient's cooperative ability and the traits of disabilities. Before initiating orthodontic treatment, the caregivers should be aware of their limitations of the treatment. Since oral hygiene is crucial factor in every dental treatment, education of oral hygiene process for the caregivers and SHCN patient must be done before the orthodontic treatment.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.777-788
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• 2010

Early diagnosis of autism and intervention of medical treatment are very significant to develop specific social communication skill for children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs). But they have difficulties in medical treatment because of lack of a public welfare institution and special medical system. In particular, few children can access such treatment and the existing single-therapist clinics are inefficient with regard to cost and time. Therefore, new methods should be studied for developing various products, services, and systems for autistic children. This study discusses the potential use of an interactive design as assistive technology for such children. We utilize the experience gained in the collaborative design of the interactive therapy system (ITS). The key methods include a collaborative design with rapid interactive prototyping, heuristic evaluation, user-centered process, VR technology, tangible interface, and scenario-based contents. We applied these methods to the ITS and proved the efficiency of interactive design as an assistive technology through clinical experimentation.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.61-69
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• 2015

In this paper, we propose and examine the feasibility of the robot-assisted behavioral intervention system so as to strengthen positive response of the children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for learning social skills. Based on well-known behavioral treatment protocols, the robot offers therapeutic training elements of eye contact and emotion reading respectively in child-robot interaction, and it subsequently accomplishes pre-allocated meaningful acts by estimating the level of children's reactivity from reliable recognition modules, as a coping strategy. Furthermore, for the purpose of labor saving and attracting children's interest, we implemented the robotic stimulation configuration with semi-autonomous actions capable of inducing intimacy and tension to children in instructional trials. From these configurations, by evaluating the ability of recognizing human activity as well as by showing improved reactivity for social training, we verified that the proposed system has some positive effects on social development, targeted for preschoolers who have a high functioning level.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.147-157
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• 1992

The fragile X syndrome, which is considered to be synonymous with the Martin-Bell syndrome, is a relatively common form of X-linked mental retardation. The syndrome seems to occure in many different ethnic groups and its prevalence among mentally retarded males has been estimated to be in the order of 2 to 6%. The karyotypic hallmark of the syndrome is made up with a pronounced constriction near each tip of the long arm of the X chromosome(fragile site), shown in vitro only under conditions in which thymidylate production is blocked(lowered folate levels). Special culture media are needed to demonstrate this constriction site. Major clinical features associated with the syndrome include macroorchidism, large or prominent ears, significant emotional and behavioral dysfunctions such as hyperactivity, self-injury, lack of eye contact and social interaction, schizophrenia, autism, etc., and speech and language dysfunctions ranging from nonverbal to verbal speech with moderate to severe expressive language delays. Some have minor clinical features in common such as an increase in birth weight high forehead, prognathism, increased head circumference in infancy and childhood which did not persist into adult life. The recent research findings have shown that the fragile X syndrome is associated with infantile autism. Many patients with the fragile X syndrome fulfill the diagnostic criteria for infantile autism. Therefore it is recommendable that any patient with developmental delays and autism or autistic manifestations should have a chromosomal analysis, including fragile X examination. In the present review, historical aspects, incidence, and clinical features are presented. Recent anecdotal reports of the association with autism and the clinical improvement following high dose folic acid treatment will be discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.35-40
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• 2022

Objectives: Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are a core symptom in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The complexity of behavioral patterns has called for the creation of phenotypically homogeneous subgroups among individuals with ASD. The purpose of this study was 1) to investigate the different types of RRBs and 2) to explore whether subgroups created by RRBs would show unique levels of functioning in toddlers and young children with ASD. Methods: A total of 313 children with ASD, aged 12-42 months were included in the analysis. The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised was used to obtain information on the different types of RRBs by grouping 15 items into six categories. The Vineland Adaptive Behaviors Scale, a parent-reported questionnaire, was used to measure adaptive functioning. A portion of the children were analyzed separately for verbal-related RRBs based on their expressive language level. Two-step cluster analysis using RRB groups as features was used to create subgroups. Analysis of covariance while covarying for age and language was performed to explore the clinical characteristics of each cluster group. Results: Sensory-related RRBs were the most prevalent, followed by circumscribed interests, interest in objects, resistance to change, and repetitive body movements. A subset of the children was analyzed separately to explore verbal-related RRBs. Four cluster groups were created based on reported RRBs, with multiple RRBs demonstrating significant delays in adaptive functioning. Conclusion: Heterogeneity of RRBs emerges at a young age. The different patterns of RRBs can be used as valuable information to determine developmental trajectories with better implications for treatment approaches.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.86-93
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• 2015

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by impaired social communication and repetitive, restricted behaviors and activities. The prevalence of ASD has been increasing for the past 2 decades, but evidence-based therapeutic approaches are lacking for patients with ASD. To date, there is no cure for the core symptoms of ASD, and the existing treatments focus on improving the patient's function and adaptation by using behavioral intervention methods. Behavioral interventions have been proven to show the greatest effect when applied before the age of 2 years, for at least 40-60 hours per week. Many clinicians and ASD families are unfamiliar with the treatment methods, and consequently, may seek unproven and potentially hazardous methods. The purpose of this article was to present an extensive and updated review on evidence-based ASD behavioral interventions that are commonly used in clinical settings.