Search

The report describes the results of a survey conducted on 176 parents of children with autism in Singapore. The ages of the children ranged from 3 to 12 years. The survey focused on the child's background, behaviour problems and skill profile, the home and school situation as well as the linguistic and social background. It was noted that the Singapore population confirms the international distribution regarding a predominance of boys over girls and a low incidence of birth complications. A positive trend noted was the fact that 60% of the children were diagnosed before the age of 3 years. Discussion focuses on possible risk factors and psychosocial adversities for autism such as a high frequency of caregivers who are foreign maids, the use of multiple languages and the high level of punitive educational practices. The possible influence of psychosocial deprivation on child development is discussed.

The analysis and intervention of communication is an important focus of autism research. The present study is a microanalysis of the communicative behaviour of 10 autistic children with their parents and a therapist. Protests, appropriate initiation and responses of the children were analysed in relation to demands and the specific feedback of the adults. After 20 months of structured therapy changes in the communicative behaviour of the participants were demonstrated. Autistic children showed different communicative pattern with their parents compared to a therapist. The non-verbal group exhibited significantly more protests and decreased responsivity with their parents compared to the therapist. The verbal group interacted with their parents predominantly by echolalia. After 20 months a significant reduction in protests, increased compliance and responsivity were obvious in the non-verbal group. The verbal group showed a reduction in echolalia as well as increased responsive and spontaneous communication. The results demonstrate that even non-verbal autistic children are sensitive towards different interaction partners. Over the observation period participants showed a reduction in behaviour problems and positive developments of communicative behaviour.

A hospital-based behavioural intervention programme was developed for families of children with newly diagnosed or relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). The programme's aim was to enhance the families' ability to cope with the emotionally distressing aspects of the illness and the medical treatment. Eight children and 10 parents participated in the programme for 12 weeks. The children received individual therapeutic play sessions and computer-assisted distraction activities, while the parents participated in a structured support group. The subjects were evaluated before, immediately after, and 6 months post-intervention, using both self-administered questionnaires and clinical observation by the psychosocial intervention team and the hospital staff. Findings indicated positive changes on the coping and the hopelessness measures, and an overall benefit for both parents and children. The hospital team reported better compliance and co-operation with treatment procedures by the children and their parents. The study concludes with an assessment of the benefits and feasibility of integrating a psychosocial programme into paediatric oncology services in Singapore.