Autism Spectrum Disorder
Conditions
Keywords
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Tooth-brushing program, Gingival index, Plaque index
Brief summary
The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a communication system for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a PECS-based tooth-brushing program on gingival health in children with ASD and assess parents' perception of PECS. This was a prospective interventional study. Using PECS as a pictures/cards series showing a structured tooth-brushing method, 37 children with ASD (31 males, 6 females) (average age 9.49±4.10, 4-16 years) and their parents/caregivers were trained on tooth-brushing twice, two weeks apart. Data collected after examinations (baseline, 3, 6-months) included gingival and plaque indices (GI, PI) and two questionnaires (baseline, 6-months) for demographic data and parents' perception of PECS including: difficulty rating (easy, hard, very hard) and PECS usefulness.
Detailed description
The need for improved oral hygiene routines in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been documented in many reports. The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), which is a series of pictures that show a structured method and technique for teeth brushing, was chosen for this study since it is a proven communication system for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a PECS-based tooth-brushing program on gingival health in children with ASD and assess parents' perception of PECS. This was a prospective interventional study. Using PECS as a pictures/cards series showing a structured tooth-brushing method, 37 children with ASD (31 males, 6 females) (average age 9.49±4.10, 4-16 years) and their parents/caregivers were trained on tooth-brushing twice, two weeks apart. The pictures were placed in the bathroom, at home and/or at the autism center. Data collected after examinations (baseline, 3, 6-months) included gingival and plaque indices (GI, PI) and two questionnaires (baseline, 6-months) for demographic data and parents' perception of PECS including: difficulty rating (easy, hard, very hard) and whether they found PECS useful in teaching their children how to brush their teeth (yes or no).
Interventions
A communication system frequently used with non-verbal children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) that uses a series of pictures that describe how a certain activity is done, in our case showing a structured method and technique for teeth brushing.
Sponsors
Jordan University of Science and Technology
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Children with ASD ages 4-16 years
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
4 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Children diagnosed with ASD. * Age between 4 and 18 years old.
Exclusion criteria
* Children unable to cooperate for data collection (poor behavior during dental examination).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gingival index score | 6 months | This score indicates the level of gingival inflammation upon examination of teeth, reported as the average score calculated as (total score for all teeth/number of examined teeth): Score 0 (Absence of inflammation), Score 1 (Mild inflammation: slight change in colour (more red) and little change in texture (loss of stippling), No bleeding on probing), Score 2 (Moderate inflammation: moderate glazing, redness, edema and hypertrophy; bleeding on probing), Score 3 (Severe inflammation: marked redness and edema; tendency to spontaneous bleeding; ulceration). A lower score indicates less gingival inflammation (better gingival health) and vice versa. |
| Plaque index score | 6 months | This score indicates the level of plaque (and reflects level of oral hygiene) upon examination of teeth, reported as the average score, calculated as (total score for all teeth/number of examined teeth): Score 0 (No plaque), Score 1 (Plaque not visible by eye, only detectable using a dental probe), Score 2 (Plaque visible by eye & detectable with a dental probe along the gingival margin of the tooth), Score 4 (Thick layer of plaque visible by eye & detectable by probe covering more than the gingival margin of the tooth). A lower score indicates less plaque (meaning better oral hygiene) and vice versa. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Parents' rating of PECS difficulty | 6 months | Parents were asked to rate PECS difficulty as: easy, hard, very hard. This was assessed through a questionnaire. |
| PECS usefulness | 6 months | Parents were asked whether PECS was useful in teaching their children how to brush their teeth: yes, no. This was assessed through a questionnaire. |
Countries
Jordan
Outcome results
None listed