S Lopez Cazaux1,2,3, G Lefer4,5, A Rouches6, P Bourdon4,5. 1. Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, 1 place Alexis Ricordeau, 44042, Nantes Cedex 1, France. serena.lopez-cazaux@univ-nantes.fr. 2. Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Nantes, 1 Place Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093, Nantes Cedex 1, France. serena.lopez-cazaux@univ-nantes.fr. 3. Centre de Recherche en Education de Nantes, EA2661, Chemin de la Censive du Tertre, BP 81227, 44312, Nantes Cedex 3, France. serena.lopez-cazaux@univ-nantes.fr. 4. Centre de Recherche en Education de Nantes, EA2661, Chemin de la Censive du Tertre, BP 81227, 44312, Nantes Cedex 3, France. 5. Chemin de Launay Violette, Ecole Supérieure du Professorat et de l'Education, 44300, Nantes, France. 6. Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, 1 place Alexis Ricordeau, 44042, Nantes Cedex 1, France.
Abstract
AIM: To improve the oral health of children and teenagers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by using an iPad®-based training programme. METHODS: Fifty-two children and teenagers with ASD (aged 3-19 years) educated in schools or in care centres participated in this cohort study and followed for 8 months. A training programme for teaching toothbrushing behaviours was proposed to the educational staff. Quotation grids enabled assessment of the programme's efficacy. RESULTS: Showed an improvement in toothbrushing. The children's autonomy increased and oral care was more easily implemented when steps were taken by the caregivers. Wilcoxon analysis showed significant improvement in each variable related to toothbrushing. CONCLUSIONS: The iPad® is an attractive and easy device for people with ASD to use. Its use in a training programme for teaching toothbrushing behaviours was efficient.
AIM: To improve the oral health of children and teenagers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by using an iPad®-based training programme. METHODS: Fifty-two children and teenagers with ASD (aged 3-19 years) educated in schools or in care centres participated in this cohort study and followed for 8 months. A training programme for teaching toothbrushing behaviours was proposed to the educational staff. Quotation grids enabled assessment of the programme's efficacy. RESULTS: Showed an improvement in toothbrushing. The children's autonomy increased and oral care was more easily implemented when steps were taken by the caregivers. Wilcoxon analysis showed significant improvement in each variable related to toothbrushing. CONCLUSIONS: The iPad® is an attractive and easy device for people with ASD to use. Its use in a training programme for teaching toothbrushing behaviours was efficient.
Entities:
Keywords:
Autism; Oral health; Toothbrushing; Training programme; iPad®
Authors: Araxi Balian; Silvia Cirio; Claudia Salerno; Thomas Gerhard Wolf; Guglielmo Campus; Maria Grazia Cagetti Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-01-18 Impact factor: 3.390