Examination of mother's opinions on developmental differences of children with autism in early period.

Early diagnosis is extremely important for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as other children having developmental disabilities. In early diagnosis, which is one of the most important elements of the treatment process, parents have a special place with different factors. Considering the importance of parents in early diagnosis, the aim of the study is to examine the opinions of the mother on early developmental differences in children with autism. The research is a case study designed in a qualitative research model. Accordingly, an interview form was developed by the researchers and data were collected in the scanning model in the first step of the study. In the second step of the study, data were obtained by using the semi-structured interview method, which is one of the qualitative research methods. In the study group of the research, 110 mothers were interviewed, whom were selected via purposeful sampling, and 87 mothers, who gave full answers to the questions, were included in the study. The data obtained were subjected to descriptive and thematic analysis. As a result of the study, it was found that children diagnosed with autism and children with development showed similar developmental characteristics during pregnancy and after birth. It was observed that mothers with a child diagnosed with autism have the awareness on the suspicion of autism in their children when they are between 18 and 24 months and 31 and 36 months, and they experienced problems in breast-feeding and falling asleep.

Investigation of Menstrual Hygiene and Self-Care Skills of Adolescent Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Mother Views.

PURPOSE: Puberty a period of transition from childhood to adulthood, poses problems that are difficult to manage for typically developing adolescents, but even more difficult for adolescents with autism. It is vital that girls with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), like their typically developing peers, are able to manage these physiological processes in a healthy way and learn self-care and hygiene behaviours without being dependent on others. Given the contribution of mothers to the menstrual hygiene and self-care skills of adolescent girls, this study aims to explore the views of mothers. METHODS: The study is a case study designed in the qualitative research model. The research was carried out with the participation of 10 mothers met the necessary criteria and agreed to take part in the study voluntarily. The data obtained were subjected to descriptive and thematic analysis. Codes, sub-themes and main themes were created. RESULTS: The research identifies the themes of self-care and menstrual hygiene, preparations made during menstruation, behavioral problems in adolescents, the person who carries out hygiene and self-care, and situations that tire/strain mothers during menstruation. CONCLUSION: At the end of the research, it was concluded that the adolescent girls with ASD are mostly unable to perform their self-care and hygiene adequately, and that the mothers do nothing to prepare their daughters for adolescence. It was also concluded that the most stressful situation for mothers during adolescence is usually the difficulty their daughters have in using sanitary pads, cleaning armpits and genital hair, and bathing.

The current alternative for ocular surface and anophthalmic socket reconstruction, cryopreserved umbilical amniotic membrane (cUAM).

PURPOSE: This report presents the results of using cryopreserved umbilical amniotic membrane (cUAM) as an alternative mucosal graft for ocular surface reconstruction in cases of anophthalmic socket contracture (ASC), cicatricial entropion (CE), and conjunctival-scleral defects. METHODS: The study included patients who underwent non-commercial implantation of cUAM grafts (prepared by corneal banking methods) for ASC, CE, conjunctival defect, and scleral melting. The main success criteria for this study were the comfortable fitting of the ocular prosthesis in ASC patients, the natural eyelid position in CE patients, and the degree of conjunctivalisation in melting patients. RESULTS: cUAM transplantation was performed in 2 patients who could not use a prosthetic eye due to conjunctival contracture, 2 patients with CE, and 1 patient with conjunctival defect and 1 patient with conjunctival-scleral melting. The primary outcome was achieved in 83.3% (5/6) of patients. In one patient with CE, partial healing was achieved due to the persistence of CE in the medial upper eyelid. CONCLUSIONS: cUAM is a viable alternative to mucosal grafting for reconstructing the bulbar and palpebral conjunctival surface, fornix, and orbit, with reduced donor morbidity and shorter surgical time. Its regenerative ability allows for tissue defect healing and improves cosmetic appearance through epithelialization within weeks.