Pivotal response treatment and applied behavior analysis interventions for autism spectrum disorder delivered by human vs robotic agents: a systematic review of literature.

Robotic technology-aided instruction and interventions have been designed to support both Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) interventions for children with ASD. However, to the best of our knowledge, this field has not been systematically reviewed. Thus, we aimed to systematically review the literature to determine whether ABA or PRT methods in a robotic therapeutic context yield better outcomes for individuals with ASD, specifically in terms of approaching and accepting robots. A comprehensive search of electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar was conducted. Randomized control trials (RCT) and pre-post-test design investigations that assessed the impact of ABA vs. PRT approach via robot-mediated technology vs. human trainers on intervention outcomes of children with ASD were selected and included in this systematic review. Finally, 13 papers met the criteria for inclusion in the systematic review. Two independent reviewers extracted the associated data from each selected study according to the standardized data extraction form. Two reviewers also assessed the quality of each study independently using the Cochrane Back Review Scale and JBI tool for quasi-experimental studies. We categorized two general classifications of findings including ABA vs. PRT as well as robotic technology vs. human. In conclusion, the existing investigations on the effect of robotic assistive technology using ABA or PRT approach are promising particularly in therapeutic contexts with a more natural context and social flavor.

Assistive robotic technology could teach social skills with both Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) approach to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) with an acceptable efficiency and efficacy as human delivered therapies.The use of robotic technology as a means of delivering ABA or PRT interventions could offer a valuable alternative approach to human trainers in the treatment of children with ASD, potentially enhancing their acceptance and engagement with therapy.

Family-Centric Applied Behavior Analysis Promotes Sustained Treatment Utilization and Attainment of Patient Goals.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES:  Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication difficulties and restricted repetitive behaviors or interests. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) has been shown to significantly improve outcomes for individuals on the autism spectrum. However, challenges regarding access, cost, and provider shortages remain obstacles to treatment delivery. To this end, parents were trained as parent behavior technicians (pBTs), improving access to ABA, and empowering parents to provide ABA treatment in their own homes. We hypothesized that patients diagnosed with severe ASD would achieve the largest gains in overall success rates toward skill acquisition in comparison to patients diagnosed with mild or moderate ASD. Our secondary hypothesis was that patients with comprehensive treatment plans (>25-40 hours/week) would show greater gains in skill acquisition than those with focused treatment plans (less than or equal to 25 hours/week).  Methods: This longitudinal, retrospective chart review evaluated data from 243 patients aged two to 18 years who received at least three months of ABA within our pBT treatment delivery model. Patients were stratified by utilization of prescribed ABA treatment, age, ASD severity (per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition), and treatment plan type (comprehensive vs. focused). Patient outcomes were assessed by examining success rates in acquiring skills, both overall and in specific focus areas (communication, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and social skills). RESULTS: Patients receiving treatment within the pBT model demonstrated significant progress in skill acquisition both overall and within specific focus areas, regardless of cohort stratification. Patients with severe ASD showed greater overall skill acquisition gains than those with mild or moderate ASD. In addition, patients with comprehensive treatment plans showed significantly greater gains than those with focused treatment plans. CONCLUSION: The pBT model achieved both sustained levels of high treatment utilization and progress toward patient goals. Patients showed significant gains in success rates of skill acquisition both overall and in specific focus areas, regardless of their level of treatment utilization. This study reveals that our pBT model of ABA treatment delivery leads to consistent improvements in communication, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and social skills across patients on the autism spectrum, particularly for those with more severe symptoms and those following comprehensive treatment plans.

Student Motivation Analysis Based on Raising-Hand Videos.

In current smart classroom research, numerous studies focus on recognizing hand-raising, but few analyze the movements to interpret students' intentions. This limitation hinders teachers from utilizing this information to enhance the effectiveness of smart classroom teaching. Assistive teaching methods, including robotic and artificial intelligence teaching, require smart classroom systems to both recognize and thoroughly analyze hand-raising movements. This detailed analysis enables systems to provide targeted guidance based on students' hand-raising behavior. This study proposes a morphology-based analysis method to innovatively convert students' skeleton key point data into several one-dimensional time series. By analyzing these time series, this method offers a more detailed analysis of student hand-raising behavior, addressing the limitations of deep learning methods that cannot compare classroom hand-raising enthusiasm or establish a detailed database of such behavior. This method primarily utilizes a neural network to obtain students' skeleton estimation results, which are then converted into time series of several variables using the morphology-based analysis method. The YOLOX and HrNet models were employed to obtain the skeleton estimation results; YOLOX is an object detection model, while HrNet is a skeleton estimation model. This method successfully recognizes hand-raising actions and provides a detailed analysis of their speed and amplitude, effectively supplementing the coarse recognition capabilities of neural networks. The effectiveness of this method has been validated through experiments.

How Can Qualitative Methods Be Applied to Behavior Analytic Research: A Discussion and Suggestions for Implementation.

Behavior analysts in research and clinical practice are interested in an ever-expanding array of topics. They are compelled to explore the social validity of the interventions they propose and the findings they generate. As the field moves in these important directions, qualitative methods are becoming increasingly relevant. Representing a departure from small-n design favored by behavior analysts, qualitative approaches provide analysts a unique set of tools to answer questions that prioritize voice, experience, and understandings in context. Despite recognition of the value of qualitative approaches in other disciplines, application of qualitative methods in behavior analysis remains limited. One likely explanation is that behavior analysts are not yet fluent in applying qualitative approaches within their clinical and research investigations. To address this issue, exploration of qualitative research approaches in behavior analytic literature is needed, alongside practical advice for analysts who are interested in using qualitative methods. This article briefly outlines qualitative literature which pertains to behavior analysts wanting to incorporate qualitative methods into their inquiries. Attention is primarily drawn to the need for coherence in designing and implementing a robust qualitative study that aligns with the behavior analyst's aims and perspective on knowing. A set of guiding questions are provided to orient behavior analysts to considerations in qualitative research and outline how analysts can conceptualize a strong qualitative study. This article aims to support increased application of qualitative methods by behavior analysts, where these methods best address the function of the behavior analytic investigation.

A Survey of the State of the Field of Applied Behavior Analysis in Vermont.

As the number of and demand for board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) grows across the United States, it is increasingly important to evaluate the status of the applied behavior analysis (ABA) workforce. The goal of this study was to evaluate the current status of the field of ABA within the state of Vermont. We surveyed practicing RBTs, BCaBAs, BCBAs, BCBA-Ds, and ABA professionals within Vermont. We gathered and analyzed information regarding practitioner training and supervision experiences, current work conditions, strengths and barriers related to education, supervision, and practice within the field of ABA in Vermont, and historical and demographic information. Survey responses were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods and themes and results are discussed. This study may serve as a model for other states to conduct similar analyses to better meet the needs of the changing landscape of the field of ABA.

A Discussion of Positive Behavior Support and Applied Behavior Analysis in the Context of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the UK and Ireland.

This article addresses the relationship between applied behavior analysis (ABA) and the emergence of positive behavior support (PBS) in context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the UK and Ireland. Two overarching issues that are salient in this discussion are professional training and certification. To date, there has been a lack of standardized training or statutory requirements to practice PBS despite proponents insisting that its practice should be grounded in behavior analytic principles. Furthermore, there is an undercurrent of anti-ABA bias fueled by misinterpretation and unsubstantiated anecdotal claims used to promote an alternative "value based" approach to managing behavior.

The State of Teaching Philosophy in Behavior Analysis Training Programs.

Professional organizations that oversee the accreditation of graduate training programs in behavior analysis have increased didactic training requirements for programs in various domains across the years. One of the areas in which this has occurred concerns training in philosophy within behavior science. Although content-hour requirements for didactic philosophical training have increased, the contents of this training are not prescribed and are left to the discretion of individual programs. We conducted a survey of verified course sequence programs to assess the current state of training in philosophy in behavior analysis graduate training programs. The results provided a list of common topics and readings in philosophy courses, and indicated an emphasis on radical behaviorism and the works of B. F. Skinner. The list of topics and readings obtained provides a resource for course design, and we suggest that exposing students to a broader range of behavioristic and nonbehavioristic topics and readings may enhance students' orientation to philosophical issues in behavior analysis. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40617-023-00889-8.

Affirming Neurodiversity within Applied Behavior Analysis.

Criticisms of applied behavior analysis (ABA) from the autistic community continue to intensify and have an appreciable impact on research, practice, and conversation in stakeholder groups. ABA providers aspire to increase quality of life for autistic people; thus, it is imperative for providers to listen with humility and openness to the population we serve. Autistic individuals have unparalleled expertise in their own lives and their own communities. The concerns raised by the autistic community cannot, morally or ethically, be swept aside. There may be a misguided and harmful tendency to devalue concerns due to the speaker's identification as autistic or due to their difference in professional credentials. The concept of neurodiversity can help the ABA field respond to these concerns and collaborate with the largest stakeholders of our services, the autistic clients we serve. This article summarizes some of the key criticisms that autistic advocates raise concerning ABA, discusses the social model of disability and the neurodiversity paradigm, and proposes practical guidance to help the field of ABA integrate neurodiversity and thereby evolve our research and practice. By openly acknowledging the criticisms against ABA and recognizing how we can do better as a field, we believe we can take practical steps towards a profession and a society that more fully embraces inclusion.

NIR-II light therapy improves cognitive performance in MPTP induced Parkinson's disease rat models: A preliminary experimental study.

Cognitive impairment is an important component of non motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), and if not addressed in a timely manner, it can easily progress to dementia. However, no effective method currently exists to completely prevent or reverse cognitive impairment associated with PD. We therefore aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of near-infrared region II light (NIR-II) region illumination on cognitive impairment in PD through behavioral experiments (water maze and rotary rod) and multiple fluorescence immunohistochemistry techniques. The 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced group was compared with the MPTP- untreated rat group, showing a significant reduction in escape latency and significant increase in the fall latency in the MPTP-treated group. The horizontal analysis results indicated that NIR-II phototherapy improved the learning and cognitive abilities as well as coordination and balance abilities of rats. Post-treatment, the MPTP rats showed significantly shortened, escape latency, prolonged target quadrant residence time, and prolonged fall latency compared with pre-treatment. The longitudinal analysis results reaffirmed that NIR-II phototherapy improved the learning and cognitive abilities as well as coordination and balance abilities of rats. The multiple fluorescence immunohistochemistry analysis trend plot showed that the activated microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampus were highest in MPTP-induced PD untreated group, moderate in MPTP-induced PD treatment group, and lowest in the control group. Our data indicates that NIR-II illumination improves learning and cognitive impairment as well as coordination and balance abilities in PD rats by downregulating the activation of microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampus.

Mental and Behavioral Health, and Crisis Services for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services.

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) often have higher rates of comorbid mental health conditions compared to the general population. Yet, many people with IDD also have unmet needs for mental and behavioral health services. The aim of this study was to examine how states provided mental and behavior health, and crisis services to people with IDD in their Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs, the largest funding mechanism for Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) for people with IDD in the United States. We analyzed fiscal year (2021) Medicaid HCBS waivers for people with IDD from across the United States to examine if and how they provided mental and behavior health, and crisis services. States projected spending $968.9 million for mental and behavior health, and crisis services for 190,299 people with IDD. Applied behavior analysis services were provided at greater rates than positive behavior supports and other forms of behavior interventions. While most states provided mental and behavior health, and crisis services in their waivers, there were vast inconsistencies in how they did so, across states, waivers, and services. HCBS are a crucial safety net to ensure people with IDD, especially those who also have mental health disabilities, can live and thrive in their communities.

Comparative Effects of Applied Behavior Analysis on Male and Female Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Introduction Current evidence-based treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are based on applied behavior analysis (ABA). However, research on gender differences in ABA therapy response is limited. This study seeks to (1) confirm the 4:1 male-to-female ratio reported in the literature and (2) identify any possible gender differences in target behaviors over seven timepoints measured every two weeks. Materials and methods  For three months, from March 19, 2023, to June 11, 2023, a team of 3-5 behavioral technicians per individual collected daily data on general target mastery for 100 individuals with ASD treated with ABA. Data was collected at seven timepoints every two weeks. Descriptive demographics were computed. Two independent sample t-tests were performed to determine significant or nonsignificant gender differences with the seven timepoint variables.  Results Nonstatistically significant gender differences (p > .05) were found on all seven cumulative target behavior timepoints measured at two-week intervals. For targets mastered Time 1, baseline between males and females, there was no significant difference in the means for males (M = 1.0571, SD = 1.9196) and females (M = 2.0455, SD = 3.9457) (t(90) = -1.591, p = 0.115, confidence interval (CI) = -2.2223, 0.2456, d = -0.389). For targets mastered Time 2, two weeks between males and females, there was no significant difference in the means for males (M = 3.7132; SD = 4.5065) and females (M = 4.0682, SD = 5.1508) (t(88) = -0.310, p = 0.757, CI = -2.6305, 1.92056, d = -0.076). For targets mastered Time 3, four weeks between males and females, there was no significant difference in the means for males (M = 7.0956; SD = 8.7781) and females (M = 8.6136; SD = 11.2799) (t(88) = -0.656, p = 0.514, CI = -6.1173, 3.0811, d = -0.161). For targets mastered Time 4, six weeks between males and females, there was no significant difference in the means for males (M = 13.1728, SD = 16.2003) and females (M = 13.0682, SD = 16.9272) (t(88) = 0.026, p = 0.979, CI = -7.8779, 8.0871, d = 0.006). For targets mastered Time 5, eight weeks between males and females, there was no significant difference in the means for males (M = 17.2096; SD = 18.8546) and females (M = 17.4286, SD = 22.1683) (t(87) = -0.045, p = 0.965, CI = -9.9773, 9.5393, d = -0.011). For targets mastered Time 6, 10 weeks between males and females, there was no significant difference in the means for males (M = 21.0074, SD = 21.3329) and females (M = 20.6818, SD = 26.1231) (t(88) = 0.059, p = 0.953, CI = -10.6752, 11.3262, d = 0.014). For targets mastered Time 7, 12 weeks between males and females, there was no significant difference in the means for males (M = 26.1196, SD = 24.2235) and females (M = 29.6364, SD = 33.7406) (t(89) = -0.536, p = 0.593, CI = -16.5431, 9.5094, d = -0.131). Conclusions The study indicates that ABA treatments may be equally beneficial for both genders with ASD, showing no significant gender differences. However, the broad CIs in this study imply a level of statistical uncertainty, indicating potential gender differences, suggesting the results may not be uniform across genders. These findings challenge assumptions on gender-specific treatment responses, implying that ABA treatments shouldn't be recommended based on gender. Instead, individual needs should guide treatment recommendations. Future research could consider other response moderators like age, ASD severity, or coexisting mental health conditions.

A Non-parametric Analysis of Gender Differences With the Impacts of Applied Behavior Analysis on Autistic Individuals.

Introduction Considering the scarcity of research that directly investigates the differences between genders in their response to applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the objective of this study is twofold. First, it aims to reinforce the male-to-female ratio reported in existing scientific literature, thereby contributing to a broader understanding of gender distribution in ABA therapy for ASD. Second, it seeks to identify gender-based differences in aggregate target behaviors at various time intervals using three distinct datasets. The goal is to determine if gender influences the effectiveness of ABA therapy for ASD, which could inform future therapeutic strategies. Ultimately, this study strives to enhance our understanding of gender disparities in ABA therapy response among ASD individuals and hopes to improve therapeutic outcomes for all, regardless of gender. Materials and methods Three to five behavioral technicians per child collected daily general target mastery data for 263 individuals with autism. This data was gathered using a large N design through retrospective chart reviews within the "Catalyst" tracking software (DataFinch Technologies, Atlanta, USA). Three separate datasets were collected from June 7, 2023 to January 7, 2024. Behavior analysts employed a mixed model of discrete trial training, mass trials, and naturalistic environment treatment over seven months. General target mastery data was assembled for 259 children and four adults, with seven data instances missing. Descriptive statistics encompassed central tendency and dispersion measures, including the data distribution's mean, standard deviation, median, and range. Non-parametric inferential analysis was performed with the Mann-Whitney U test. Results Mann-Whitney U computations resulted in non-significant gender differences on all gender comparisons for the three datasets covering the seven-month timeframe. Dataset #1: Time 1-(U=727.5, p=0.846, ή2=0.0002, Time 2-(U=736, p=0.910, ή2=0.00005), Time 3-(U=687.5, p=0.569, ή2=0.001) Dataset #2: Time 1-(U=781, p=0.383, ή2=0.003), Time 2-(U=819.5, p=0.585, ή2=0.001), Time 3-(U=825, p=0.618, ή2=0.001) Dataset #3: Time 1-(U=395, p=0.198, ή2=0.007), Time 2-(U=373.5, p=0.365, ή2 =0.003), Time 3-(U=363, p=0.471, ή2=0.002), Time 4-(U=366.5, p=0.436, ή2 =0.003), Time 5-(U=371, p=0.391, ή2=0.003), Time 6-(U=394, p=0.208, ή2=0.007), Time 7-(U=373, p=0.373, ή2=0.003), Time 8-(U=371.5, p=0.387, ή2=0.003), Time 9-(U=464.5, p=0.512, ή2=0.002), Time 10-(U=356.5, p=0.546, ή2=0.002), Time 11-(U=357.5, p=0.535, ή2=0.002), Time 12-(U=350.5, p=0.346, ή2=0.004) Conclusions This study suggests no significant gender differences in response to ABA therapy among individuals with autism, indicating its potential effectiveness for both genders. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously due to statistical uncertainties reflected in the broad confidence intervals as they hint at possible substantial gender differences. Further research, including an extension study, must confirm these results and understand potential gender nuances in ABA therapy response. This could help tailor more effective, personalized therapeutic strategies for individuals with autism.

Prevention and Intervention Strategies for the Sexual Abuse and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Who Run Away from Foster Care: A Scoping Review.

Literature on human trafficking suggests the vulnerability to commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) and child sexual abuse (CSA) changes by the prevalence of certain risk factors (e.g., runaway), trafficker-used lures (e.g., isolation), and the environmental conditions present at the time of victimization (e.g., foster care). Often, youth in foster care are at high risk for CSEC and CSA victimization associated with runaway instances. This scoping review aims to identify prevention and intervention strategies for CSEC/CSA of youth who run away from foster care. PRISMA scoping review guidelines were followed to review the literature across two search parameters (CSEC; CSA). An electronic review was conducted between August 2022 and January 2023 across four databases: PubMed, SAGE Journals Online, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. The CSEC and CSA search parameters comprised three domains (sexual exploitation, foster care, and runaway; sexual abuse, foster care, and runaway, respectively). Literature published between 2012 and 2022 was included regardless of the methodological approach. Literature not concerning youth who run from foster care was excluded. Database searches yielded 206 publications for CSEC and 351 for CSA, reduced to 185 and 212, respectively, after removing duplicates. Seventy-one articles were identified, of which, 64 articles (28 CSEC, 36 CSA) were categorized as prevention strategies and seven (five CSEC, two CSA) as interventions. The intersection and dual victimization of CSEC and CSA of youth who run away from foster care are discussed. This paper also discusses applied behavior analysis principles for developing function-based interventions.

Development and Validation of an Assessment-Driven Behavioral Intervention for Primary Complex Motor Stereotypies in Young Children.

Complex motor stereotypies are rhythmic, repetitive, fixed, and non-goal directed movements (e.g., bilateral flapping/waving movements of the hands/arms). Movements typically begin in early childhood and can occur in otherwise normally developing ("primary") or autistic ("secondary") children. Stereotypies persist, occur multiple times a day, have prolonged durations, can be socially stigmatizing, and may lead to bullying and isolation. Prior behavioral treatment studies have focused on older children (ages 6-12) and report modest reductions in stereotypy (i.e., between 14% and 33%). The current study involves the functional assessment and treatment of five children with Primary Complex Motor Stereotypy using a modified awareness training procedure, differential reinforcement of other behavior, and schedule thinning in a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design. Results suggest a 99% reduction of motor stereotypy from baseline across all participants.

Coupling intention and actions of vehicle-pedestrian interaction: A virtual reality experiment study.

The interactions between vehicles and pedestrians are complex due to their interdependence and coupling. Understanding these interactions is crucial for the development of autonomous vehicles, as it enables accurate prediction of pedestrian crossing intentions, more reasonable decision-making, and human-like motion planning at unsignalized intersections. Previous studies have devoted considerable effort to analyzing vehicle and pedestrian behavior and developing models to forecast pedestrian crossing intentions. However, these studies have two limitations. First, they mainly focus on investigating variables that explain pedestrian crossing behavior rather than predicting pedestrian crossing intentions. Moreover, some factors such as age, sensation seeking and social value orientation, used to establish decision-making models in these studies are not easily accessible in real-world scenarios. In this paper, we explored the critical factors influencing the decision-making processes of human drivers and pedestrians respectively by using virtual reality technology. To do this, we considered available kinematic variables and analyzed the internal relationship between motion parameters and pedestrian behavior. The analysis results indicate that longitudinal distance and vehicle acceleration are the most influential factors in pedestrian decision-making, while pedestrian speed and longitudinal distance also play a crucial role in determining whether the vehicle yields or not. Furthermore, a mathematical relationship between a pedestrian's intention and kinematic variables is established for the first time, which can help dynamically assess when pedestrians desire to cross. Finally, the results obtained in driver-yielding behavior analysis provide valuable insights for autonomous vehicle decision-making and motion planning.

Integrative BNN-LHS Surrogate Modeling and Thermo-Mechanical-EM Analysis for Enhanced Characterization of High-Frequency Low-Pass Filters in COMSOL.

This paper pioneers a novel approach in electromagnetic (EM) system analysis by synergistically combining Bayesian Neural Networks (BNNs) informed by Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) with advanced thermal-mechanical surrogate modeling within COMSOL simulations for high-frequency low-pass filter modeling. Our methodology transcends traditional EM characterization by integrating physical dimension variability, thermal effects, mechanical deformation, and real-world operational conditions, thereby achieving a significant leap in predictive modeling fidelity. Through rigorous evaluation using Mean Squared Error (MSE), Maximum Learning Error (MLE), and Maximum Test Error (MTE) metrics, as well as comprehensive validation on unseen data, the model's robustness and generalization capability is demonstrated. This research challenges conventional methods, offering a nuanced understanding of multiphysical phenomena to enhance reliability and resilience in electronic component design and optimization. The integration of thermal variables alongside dimensional parameters marks a novel paradigm in filter performance analysis, significantly improving simulation accuracy. Our findings not only contribute to the body of knowledge in EM diagnostics and complex-environment analysis but also pave the way for future investigations into the fusion of machine learning with computational physics, promising transformative impacts across various applications, from telecommunications to medical devices.

An automatic measurement method for the response of Caenorhabditis elegans to chemicals.

BACKGROUND: Caenorhabditis elegans is a widely used model animal. Chemotaxis assay is one of the experiments that study the effects of different chemicals on nematodes. It is mainly used to study the effects of different chemicals on the perception behavior of nematodes. By conducting this experiment, not only can the neurotoxicity of chemicals be reflected, but also the impact of chemicals on physiological functions regulated by the nervous system, such as nematode feeding behavior and basic motor ability. OBJECTIVE: The experiment of detecting the response of nematode to chemicals is also a common method of chemical toxicity testing based on nematode models. In the analysis of worm tendency behavior, manual operations are generally used. Manually processing a large number of worms under a microscope is very time-consuming and labor-intensive. The current quantitative methods for nematode chemotaxis experiments are not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also biased in experimental results due to differences in judgment standards among experimenters. The automatic and efficient quantification method for nematode chemotaxis experiments is a very important technical difficulty in the field of nematode experiments. METHODS: Here, we have designed an automatic quantification method for nematode chemotaxis experiments by incorporating image acquisition and processing techniques into the nematode experiment. RESULTS: The experimental results show that the Pearson correlation coefficient between manual and automatic counting results is 0.978. CONCLUSION: This proves the effectiveness of our method. Applying the automatic measurement method to replace manual counting by the experimenter can improve work efficiency, and reduce errors in human counting operations.

Demographic differences in access to health/therapeutic services over first year of the pandemic: a SPARK COVID-19 impact survey analysis.

Introduction: This analysis examined changes in services received and service recovery one-year post-pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels in children with ASD aged between 19 months and 17 years in various subgroups based on factors such as age, income, race/ethnicity, geographic location, and sex. Methods: An online, parent report survey was completed by the parents of children with ASD in the SPARK study cohort (N = 6,393). Descriptive statistics, chi-square analyses, and Spearman correlations were performed to study associations between various factors and service access, pre-pandemic and one-year, post-pandemic. Results: One year after pandemic, the lag in service recovery in children with ASD was greatest for PT/OT services followed by SLT. ABA services only recovered in half of the subgroups. In contrast, SES fully recovered and MH and MED services superseded pre-pandemic levels. Across majority of the timepoints, younger children received more SLT, PT/OT, and ABA services whereas older children received more SES, MH, and MED services. Higher income families accessed more SES, SLT, and ABA whereas lower income families received more MH services. White families received less SLT compared to non-white families. Hispanic families received more SLT services compared to non-Hispanic families. Compared to rural families, urban families received more ABA services at baseline which also recovered one year after the pandemic. Certain counterintuitive findings may be attributed to home/remote schooling leading to reduced access to related services. Conclusions: Future research and policy changes are needed to address the American healthcare vulnerabilities when serving children with ASD by enhancing the diversity of healthcare formats for continued service access during future pandemics and other similar crises.

Effectiveness of IMPUTE ADT-1 mobile application in children with autism spectrum disorder: An interim analysis of an ongoing randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: IMPUTE Inc., a software firm dedicated to healthcare technology, has developed a mobile medical application known as IMPUTE ADT-1 for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on the principle of applied behavior analysis. Materials and Methods: The primary objective of this trial was to compare the efficacy of add-on treatment with IMPUTE ADT-1 in children with ASD aged two to six years as compared to standard care alone for 12 weeks (in terms of change in Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule [ADOS-2] scores). The secondary objective of the study was to assess the compliance with IMPUTE ADT-1 among participants and also to evaluate the feedback of parents regarding IMPUTE ADT-1 at the end of 12 weeks. The application provides personalized programs tailored to each user's needs, and the program evolves based on the user's progress. It also utilizes face tracking, eye tracking, and body tracking to gather behavior-related information for each child and apply it in reinforcement learning employing artificial intelligence-based algorithms. Results: Till the time of interim analysis, 37 and 33 children had completed 12-week follow-up in IMPUTE ADT-1 and control arm. At 12 weeks, as compared to baseline, change in social affect domain, repetitive ritualistic behavior domain, total ADOS-2 score, and ADOS-2 comparison score was better in the intervention group as compared to the control group (P < 0.001 for all). A total of 30 (81%), 28 (75%), and 29 (78%) caregivers in the IMPUTE ADT-1 group believed that the ADT-1 app improved their child's verbal skills, social skills, and reduced repetitive behavior, respectively. Conclusion: IMPUTE ADT-1 mobile application has the efficacy to improve the severity of autism symptoms in children. Parents of these children also feel that the application is beneficial for improving the socialization and verbal communication of their children.

Promoting Reciprocal Relationships with Flexibility, Coaching, and Teaching (PRRFCT Match): A Virtual Parent-Mediated Intervention Package for Young Children with Developmental Disabilities.

This study aimed to evaluate Promoting Reciprocal Relationships with Flexibility, Coaching, and Teaching (PRRFCT Match), a parent-mediated naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention package. An expansion from an earlier pilot study (see Kunze et al., 2021), PRRFCT Match incorporates virtual coaching between a novice coach and parent to implement evidence-based, applied behavior analytic (ABA) techniques during play to increase engagement and decrease unengaged behavior exhibited by their young child with developmental delays (26-50 months old). Ten parent-child dyads were matched with a coach in this concurrent multiple baseline design across participants. Simulating the clinical training level of a novice early interventionist, nine graduate student clinicians received training as coaches on PRRFCT Match implementation and weekly supervision by a research team member. All aspects of training and intervention were delivered virtually. A visual analysis of the data combined with Tau-U revealed a strong basic effect between clinician coaching and parent strategy use. For child participants, a visual analysis and Tau-U results suggest that most increased engagement and decreased their unengaged behavior during the intervention. High variability, overlap, and high engagement at baseline are discussed. This study shows promise for the PRRFCT Match intervention package. The ABA technologies mediated by parents during play increased child engagement and decreased unengagement for most participants.