Abstract

Background/Objectives

Pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS) are at risk of experiencing challenges in social adjustment. However, the specific social behaviors of PBTS have rarely been directly assessed. This pilot study explores the first novel use of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, second edition (ADOS-2), to evaluate the social behaviors of PBTS.

Methods

Twenty-six PBTS (ages 9–17 years; M = 7.8 years from diagnosis; 52% male; 41% received radiation treatment) completed the ADOS-2. The proportion of the sample experiencing impairment was examined descriptively across all items of the ADOS-2, as well as by a summary “overall score” created for this study, and using the ADOS-2 “diagnostic algorithm” scores for autism. Social adjustment, cognitive, medical, and demographic variables were explored as correlates of the ADOS-2 “overall score”.

Results

Study recruitment was 34%, impeded by distance from the tertiary-care center. The percentage of PBTS experiencing detectable impairments ranged from 0% to 50% across ADOS-2 items. Cranial radiation treatment, lower IQ, and slower cognitive processing were associated with higher impairment on the ADOS-2 “overall score”.

Conclusion

The ADOS-2 can be used to assess the discrete social behaviors of PBTS. This study provides a foundation for future investigations using the ADOS-2 to assess social behaviors in this population. Identifying specific social behavior difficulties in PBTS is key to refining much needed targeted social skills interventions for this population.

中文翻译：

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一种了解小儿脑肿瘤幸存者社会行为的新颖方法：一项初步研究

摘要

背景/目标

小儿脑肿瘤幸存者（PBTS）面临着社会适应挑战的风险。但是，很少直接评估PBTS的特定社会行为。这项初步研究探索了《孤独症诊断观察时间表》（第二版，ADOS-2）在小说中的首次使用，以评估PBTS的社会行为。

方法

26例PBTS（诊断年龄9-17岁； M = 7.8年；诊断为男52％；接受放射治疗的41％）完成了ADOS-2。通过对ADOS-2的所有项目进行描述性检查，并通过为本研究创建的摘要“总体评分”，并使用ADOS-2“诊断算法”评分来检查自闭症。社会适应，认知，医学和人口统计学变量作为ADOS-2“总分”的相关因素进行了探讨。

结果

受三级护理中心的距离影响，研究的招募率为34％。在ADOS-2项目中，可检测到损伤的PBTS百分比范围为0％至50％。颅脑放射治疗，较低的智商和较慢的认知过程与ADOS-2“总体评分”的较高损害相关。

结论

ADOS-2可用于评估PBTS的离散社会行为。这项研究为将来使用ADOS-2评估该人群的社会行为提供了基础。确定PBTS中特定的社会行为困难是完善针对该人群急需的有针对性的社交技能干预措施的关键。