Det uppskattas att ca 2 barn av 1000 har autism (AST) i Sverige idag, vilket innebär genomgripande störningar i utvecklingen. Barn som drabbas av denna störning har ofta ett stort hjälpbehov från sin omgivning och att som förälder få ett barn med denna diagnos innebär stora förändringar i det dagliga livet. Syftet med denna studie var att beskriva föräldrars erfarenheter och upplevelser av att leva med barn med autismspektrumtillstånd. För att besvara studiens syfte har en litteraturöversikt genomförts, där sammanlagt 9 artiklar har analyserats. Vid analysen framkom 5 olika områden: outtalad ansvarsfördelning, att känna sig isolerad, oro, stress och depression, strategier för att kunna hantera situationen och vikten av socialt och professionellt stöd. Det framkom av resultatet att de föräldrar som lever med ett barn med AST upplever att de bär en tung börda som är relaterad till barnets problem och svårighetsgrad. Det är därför viktigt att som sjuksköterska känna till föräldrars upplevelser och erfarenheter för att på bästa sätt kunna möta dessa familjer och ge så god omvårdnad som möjligt. / It is estimated that approximately 2 children by 1000 has autism (AST) in Sweden today, which means major disruption in the development. Children who suffer from this disorder often have a large need of help from their surroundings and parents who have a child with this diagnosis experience major changes in daily life. The purpose of this study is to describe parents' experiences of living with a child with autism spectrum disorder. To answer the purpose of the study, a literature review was made where nine articles were analyzed. The analysis revealed five different areas: unspoken responsibilities, to feel isolated, anxiety, stress and depression, strategies to cope with the situation and the importance of social and professional support. The result of the analysis showed that parents living with a child with ASD experience a though burden which is related to the child's problems and severity of the disorder. It is there for important as a nurse to know parents' experiences, to be able to meet these families and give as good care as possible.

Introduction: Little is known about the physical activity [PA] habits of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders [ASD]. ASD specific PA barriers and facilitators have not been investigated. Purpose: To describe the PA habits of children with ASD and the barriers and facilitators to optimal PA participation. Methods: Twenty-three parents of children with ASD reported on their child’s PA habits, perceived barriers to PA participation, and functioning. A rating scale was applied to score responses and children were classified into functional level groups and PA level groups. Results: On average, children were reported to meet or exceeded national PA frequency guidelines, belonged to active families and participated in a variety of physical activities. Parents identified several barriers to optimal PA for their children. Conclusions: Children with ASD can attain optimal PA. Exposure to a variety of PA opportunities and experiences aids in identifying the ideal activity for each individual child.

Introduction: Little is known about the physical activity [PA] habits of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders [ASD]. ASD specific PA barriers and facilitators have not been investigated. Purpose: To describe the PA habits of children with ASD and the barriers and facilitators to optimal PA participation. Methods: Twenty-three parents of children with ASD reported on their child’s PA habits, perceived barriers to PA participation, and functioning. A rating scale was applied to score responses and children were classified into functional level groups and PA level groups. Results: On average, children were reported to meet or exceeded national PA frequency guidelines, belonged to active families and participated in a variety of physical activities. Parents identified several barriers to optimal PA for their children. Conclusions: Children with ASD can attain optimal PA. Exposure to a variety of PA opportunities and experiences aids in identifying the ideal activity for each individual child.

Although the concept of quality of life (QOL) has become increasingly popular in the past few decades in a number of fields of research, few studies have specifically examined QOL for high-functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Several studies have found that objectively measured outcomes for adults with high-functioning autism (HFA) and Asperger's syndrome (AS) tend to be poor in terms of employment, relationships, mental health, and independence. However, it has been recently suggested that in order to obtain a more accurate depiction of overall QOL, subjective impressions must be examined as well. Recent research has found that the most significant predictor variable of QOL for high-functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorders is the discrepancy between support needed and formal support provided. The current study examined 15 formal support variables and their relationships to subjective QOL scores on the WHOQOL-BREF, in 4 domains (physical health, psychological health, environment, and social relationships) as well as overall QOL. A total of 33 participants completed a questionnaire that included items designed to obtain information on demographics and formal support. Participants also completed the WHOQOL-BREF in order to obtain overall QOL scores along with QOL domain scores. Significant negative correlations were found between Environmental QOL scores and the accessing of a social worker as well as the accessing of social groups. Significant negative correlations were also found between Social QOL scores and the accessing of a psychiatrist and a single-item overall QOL score and the accessing of counselling or psychotherapy. All correlations between formal support factors and QOL scores showed lower QOL scores for those individuals who accessed the supports. The results of standard multiple regression analyses revealed a significant model that accounted for 49% of the total variance in the amount of total supports accessed as well as two other significant models predicting Social QOL and Environmental QOL.

Syftet med denna uppsats har varit att belysa neuropsykiatriska utredningar utifrån ett klientperspektiv. Uppsatsen bygger på kvalitativa intervjuer med sex informanter som har genomgått en neuropsykiatrisk utredning. Avsikten med studien var att få en djupare och tydligare kunskap om klienternas upplevelse av att genomgå en neuropsykiatrisk utredning. Våra frågeställningar har belysts utifrån tre teman förväntningar, upplevelse och bemötande. Resultatet visade att det finns flera aspekter i utredningen som har upplevts som problematiska utifrån ett klientperspektiv, men också aspekter utanför utredningen som upplevts som bekymmersamma utifrån klienternas utsagor. De negativa upplevelserna från utredningen visade sig vara den neuropsykiatriska utredningens tidsomfattning som ansågs vara för lång, även återkopplingsmötet bedömdes vara för komplicerat och förvirrande. Flera informanter beskrev att de sökt hjälp tidigare, men att någon diagnos aldrig har fastställts, vilket bidrog till att samtliga informanter var ytterst angelägna om att genomgå en utredning. Resultatet visade att det fanns ett behov av att få prata och beskriva sina svårigheter, vilket det neuropsykiatriska utredningsteamet kunnat tillgodose genom sin professionalitet och goda kunskaper. Informanterna upplevde en lättnad efter fastställd diagnos och för många betydde en utredning att de fått rätsida på svårigheter som varit påtagliga under större delen av deras liv. Det finns i empirin tendenser till ett stort behov av att få uttrycka sig och en upplevelse av kunskapsbrist från omgivningen.

Although the concept of quality of life (QOL) has become increasingly popular in the past few decades in a number of fields of research, few studies have specifically examined QOL for high-functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Several studies have found that objectively measured outcomes for adults with high-functioning autism (HFA) and Asperger's syndrome (AS) tend to be poor in terms of employment, relationships, mental health, and independence. However, it has been recently suggested that in order to obtain a more accurate depiction of overall QOL, subjective impressions must be examined as well. Recent research has found that the most significant predictor variable of QOL for high-functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorders is the discrepancy between support needed and formal support provided. The current study examined 15 formal support variables and their relationships to subjective QOL scores on the WHOQOL-BREF, in 4 domains (physical health, psychological health, environment, and social relationships) as well as overall QOL. A total of 33 participants completed a questionnaire that included items designed to obtain information on demographics and formal support. Participants also completed the WHOQOL-BREF in order to obtain overall QOL scores along with QOL domain scores. Significant negative correlations were found between Environmental QOL scores and the accessing of a social worker as well as the accessing of social groups. Significant negative correlations were also found between Social QOL scores and the accessing of a psychiatrist and a single-item overall QOL score and the accessing of counselling or psychotherapy. All correlations between formal support factors and QOL scores showed lower QOL scores for those individuals who accessed the supports. The results of standard multiple regression analyses revealed a significant model that accounted for 49% of the total variance in the amount of total supports accessed as well as two other significant models predicting Social QOL and Environmental QOL.

Abstract In 2013, the diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome will be eliminated as a stand-alone diagnosis, to be subsumed into the existing diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. In this paper, a study with the objective of emphasizing current opinions regarding the change in diagnosis is performed. Another objective is to examine the connection between identity and diagnosis. The study therefore targets people with a diagnosis, in this case Asperger’s syndrome. The empirical material of the study has been collected through a quantitative web-based survey. It has thereafter been studied and analyzed using findings from previous research and theoretical concepts. The study concludes that a majority of the respondents have a negative attitude towards the change in diagnosis. The result also suggests that, in this study, there is a correlation between the attitude regarding the change in diagnosis, and the view that the own diagnosis is an important part of one’s identity.

Humans and dogs have lived among each other in mutually beneficial relationships for thousands of years. In recent years, this human-animal bond has emerged as a catalyst for animal-assisted activities and therapies that may benefit those with disabilities, including children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). ASD are characterized by qualitative impairments in social interaction and communication and restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. The nonverbal and nonjudgmental nature of dogs may be non-threatening and easier for children with ASD to decode, which may decrease anxiety and facilitate social bonding. Further, with their roles as social lubricants/transitional objects and natural foci of interest, dogs may facilitate social interaction between children with ASD and other people. Using a single case, multiple baseline design across participants, this study investigated whether multiple semi-structured interactions with dogs would increase social and communicative behaviors and decrease restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior in children. Although only two had statistically significant results, all three participants showed responses to intervention in the hypothesized directions. This study supports the position that children with ASD may benefit from participating in animal-assisted activities with dogs.

<p>Det uppskattas att ca 2 barn av 1000 har autism (AST) i Sverige idag, vilket innebär</p><p>genomgripande störningar i utvecklingen. Barn som drabbas av denna störning har ofta ett</p><p>stort hjälpbehov från sin omgivning och att som förälder få ett barn med denna diagnos</p><p>innebär stora förändringar i det dagliga livet. Syftet med denna studie var att beskriva</p><p>föräldrars erfarenheter och upplevelser av att leva med barn med autismspektrumtillstånd.</p><p>För att besvara studiens syfte har en litteraturöversikt genomförts, där sammanlagt 9</p><p>artiklar har analyserats. Vid analysen framkom 5 olika områden: outtalad</p><p>ansvarsfördelning, att känna sig isolerad, oro, stress och depression, strategier för att kunna</p><p>hantera situationen och vikten av socialt och professionellt stöd. Det framkom av resultatet</p><p>att de föräldrar som lever med ett barn med AST upplever att de bär en tung börda som är</p><p>relaterad till barnets problem och svårighetsgrad. Det är därför viktigt att som</p><p>sjuksköterska känna till föräldrars upplevelser och erfarenheter för att på bästa sätt kunna</p><p>möta dessa familjer och ge så god omvårdnad som möjligt.</p> / <p>It is estimated that approximately 2 children by 1000 has autism (AST) in Sweden today,</p><p>which means major disruption in the development. Children who suffer from this disorder</p><p>often have a large need of help from their surroundings and parents who have a child with</p><p>this diagnosis experience major changes in daily life. The purpose of this study is to</p><p>describe parents' experiences of living with a child with autism spectrum disorder. To</p><p>answer the purpose of the study, a literature review was made where nine articles were</p><p>analyzed. The analysis revealed five different areas: unspoken responsibilities, to feel</p><p>isolated, anxiety, stress and depression, strategies to cope with the situation and the</p><p>importance of social and professional support. The result of the analysis showed that</p><p>parents living with a child with ASD experience a though burden which is related to the</p><p>child's problems and severity of the disorder. It is there for important as a nurse to know</p><p>parents' experiences, to be able to meet these families and give as good care as possible.</p>

<p>The discovery of mirror neurons and the mirror neuron system is one of the most interesting breakthroughs in the field of neuroscience in recent years. The topic stretches over a wide spectrum of research fields but one of the more prominent areas is concerned with the role of mirror neurons in autism spectrum disorder. It is hypothesized that an impaired mirror neuron system may be one of the main causes underlying the deficits seen in autistic individuals. Parallel to the broken mirror theory of autism there are critical voices claiming there is not enough empirical evidence to support such a theory. Research carried out in the area seems to offer support for both contradictory approaches making it hard to conclude the definite role of mirror neurons in this developmental disorder. Future research may offer conclusive answers concerning the role of the mirror neuron system in autism spectrum disorder as well as other important questions regarding the functional properties of the brain areas under question.</p>