Unit 7 Scientific Knowledge, Contributions, And Metho 082282

Unit 7 Scientific Knowledge Contributions And Methodology

Complete this form based on your chosen and instructor-approved research study for the course project. Type your responses directly beneath the questions. Provide APA-style references and citations as needed. Write the APA-formatted reference for your study. Sacrey, L.-A. R., Bryson, S., Zwaigenbaum, L., Brian, J., Smith, I. M., Roberts, W., … Garon, N. (2018). The Autism Parent Screen for Infants: Predicting risk of autism spectrum disorder based on parent-reported behavior observed at 6–24 months of age. Autism, 22(3), 322–334. 10.1177/ Paste the persistent link for your study here.

Was the methodology used in the study qualitative or quantitative? The methodology used in the study is quantitative. What was the approach used in the study? The approach used in this quantitative study is quasi-experimental.

In order for research to have scientific merit in your field of study, it must contribute new, meaningful knowledge to your field. In a few sentences, summarize the new knowledge that was contributed by this research. Then, write one-to-two paragraphs explaining how this knowledge is meaningful to your field. Also, address the importance of the application of this knowledge by professionals in real-world settings.

Data indicates that by six months of age, scores on the Autism Parent Screen for Infants can predict differences between siblings with autism and other groups. The study emphasizes early detection, which facilitates prompt intervention, potentially leading to better developmental outcomes. The findings demonstrate that parent-reported behaviors align with clinical assessments, often identifying at-risk infants earlier than traditional screening methods. This illustrates that parental observation is a valuable and practical component in early diagnosis, supporting the use of screening tools like the Autism Parent Screen for Infants in pediatric and clinical settings.

This research advances the field's understanding of early markers for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), reinforcing the importance of early detection for effective intervention. The study supports the theoretical premise that early behavioral signs can reliably predict ASD risk, extending existing frameworks by validating parent-reported observations as an accurate preliminary screening method. The findings contribute to the refinement of early diagnostic models, emphasizing the role of parental insights in conjunction with technological assessments, thereby potentially modifying current screening paradigms to incorporate parental screening tools as an initial step before comprehensive clinical evaluation.

The sample consisted of infant siblings between six and twelve months of age of children diagnosed with autism, with 138 high-risk (HR) infants and 79 low-risk infants involved. The participants were recruited from an autism treatment center in Canada. The sampling procedure involved selecting siblings of children with autism, which appropriately targets a high-risk population for early detection studies. Random sampling was not feasible or appropriate in this context, given the specific inclusion criteria and the ethical considerations surrounding vulnerable populations.

The data collection began after obtaining informed consent from parents, continuing with assessments every three months until 24 months of age, and culminating with a diagnostic assessment at 36 months. Testing involved parent questionnaires, developmental assessments, and blinded diagnostic evaluations for autism. The repeated measures design allowed tracking of developmental trajectories and behavioral indicators over time. This approach was suitable for the quasi-experimental methodology, facilitating capturing early behavioral trends predictive of autism risk.

The data analysis involved comparing the three groups—children at high risk with autism, high risk without autism, and low risk—using statistical techniques such as chi-square tests to examine group differences in behavioral reports and Cohen’s d for effect size estimation. The researchers also analyzed the relationship between screening scores and eventual diagnosis, confirming that early parent reports correlated strongly with later clinical diagnoses. These methods were appropriate, providing robust evidence supporting the screening tool's validity and predictive power.

The findings demonstrated that the Autism Parent Screen for Infants had high accuracy in predicting which infants would be diagnosed with autism. The study concluded that parental observations, combined with early screening, could facilitate earlier identification of ASD, enabling timely intervention. The researchers emphasized that early detection through parent-report measures could be integrated into routine pediatric check-ups, assisting health professionals in identifying at-risk children and initiating intervention strategies sooner. The conclusions effectively addressed the research questions, providing compelling evidence for the utility of parent screening in early autism detection.

References

• Sacrey, L.-A. R., Bryson, S., Zwaigenbaum, L., Brian, J., Smith, I. M., Roberts, W., … Garon, N. (2018). The Autism Parent Screen for Infants: Predicting risk of autism spectrum disorder based on parent-reported behavior observed at 6–24 months of age. Autism, 22(3), 322–334. https://doi.org/10.1177/
• Leedy, P. D., Ormrod, J. E., & Johnson, L. R. (2019). Practical research: Planning and design (12th ed.). Pearson.
• Lord, C., Elsabbagh, M., Baird, G., & Vins(is)ki, A. (2018). Autism spectrum disorder. The Lancet, 392(10146), 508–520.
• Johnson, C. P., & Myers, S. M. (2007). Identification and evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics, 120(5), 1183–1215.
• Zwaigenbaum, L., Estes, A., Brian, J., et al. (2021). Early detection and intervention for autism spectrum disorder: breakthroughs and challenges. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 5(9), 704–716.
• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
• Bryson, S. E., Zwaigenbaum, L., et al. (2014). Early screening for autism spectrum disorder: Challenges and prospects. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44, 342–356.
• Rogers, S. J., & Vismara, L. A. (2018). Evidence-based early intervention for autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 47(1), 160–177.
• Weitzman, C., & Barstow, C. (2017). Parent-based screening tools: advantages and limitations. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 64(2), 363–377.
• Johnson, M. H., & Behar, D. (2015). Early detection and neurodevelopmental assessment of autism. Neuropsychological Review, 25, 239–258.