Browsing by Subject "Special Populations"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Assessing Perceptions, Confidence, and Training Needs of Medical Students in Autism Spectrum Disorder Care
    (2018) Aregbe, Adenike; Garman-McClaine, Blaine; Swiezy, Naomi; Neal, Tiffany
    Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents complex medical and behavioral needs, yet most medical students and healthcare providers receive limited preservice training on ASD-related care. This study evaluated the baseline attitudes, perceptions, and awareness of first-year medical students toward individuals with ASD, using the Survey of Autism Awareness and Practice (SAAP) in Medicine. Fifty-four first-year students at a Midwestern medical school completed the 74-item SAAP as part of a university-sponsored service-learning experience. Key findings revealed that while students were generally comfortable working with individuals with ASD, they expressed limited confidence in their skills and a strong need for additional training and access to resources. A majority of participants agreed they would benefit from targeted education on ASD care, though no statistically significant correlations were found between demographic characteristics and attitude responses. These results emphasize the urgent need for structured, evidence-based ASD education within medical curricula to ensure future physicians are equipped to provide competent, empathetic, and integrated care.
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    Data-Driven Insights into Autism Client Denials in Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Settings
    (2023) Kaur, Charanjit; Neal, Tiffany; Deodhar, Aditi; Swiezy, Naomi
    This project analyzed denial client data from 2021–2023 to identify key patterns, trends, and barriers affecting service eligibility for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related conditions. Tasks included data cleaning, preprocessing, and exploratory data analysis using REDCap, Cerner, Python, and Excel. Customized REDCap forms were developed to streamline data entry. Analysis revealed that IQ-related criteria, followed by age and diagnosis, were leading causes of denial. A notable gender disparity was identified, with males being denied at higher rates. Additional findings indicated that medical conditions unrelated to ASD, administrative burdens, and lack of parent engagement were significant contributing factors. These insights highlight the need for streamlined administrative processes and improved parent communication systems to reduce unnecessary denials and enhance access to care.
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    Evaluating Overall Functioning Across Adaptive Domains in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Implementation and Application of the Developmental Disabilities Modification of the Children's Global Assessment Scale (DD-CGAS)
    (2023-08-04) Devarapalli, Baby Amulya; Neal, Tiffany; Deodhar, Aditi; Swiezy, Naomi
    This practicum, completed at HANDS in Autism® in collaboration with the Indiana NeuroDiagnostic Institute (NDI), focused on evaluating overall functioning in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using the Developmental Disabilities Modification of the Children's Global Assessment Scale (DD-CGAS). The study analyzed data from 58 patients across the pre-admission and post-discharge phases, with ratings assigned in key adaptive domains: Self-Care, Communication, Social Behavior, and School/Academic Functioning. Additional measures included Eating, Sleeping, and Dressing abilities. Data were extracted from the Cerner electronic health record system, cleaned and coded using REDCap, and analyzed using Python, Excel, and Power BI. By comparing DD-CGAS scores across age and gender groups, the project assessed the impact of integrated, patient-centered inpatient care on behavioral functioning. Findings support the utility of structured, quantitative behavioral assessments in improving treatment planning and measuring intervention outcomes in ASD-focused psychiatric settings.