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Participation Measures for Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Scoping Review

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Abstract

The purpose of this scoping review was to identify participation measures for preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A comprehensive search strategy was employed across several electronic databases with hand searching of reference lists. Seven measures of participation were identified; five measures had standardization samples that included preschool children with ASD and three provided both validity and reliability data. Each assessment reported psychometric properties and covered a range of developmentally appropriate activities and environments. Parents and professionals can use the identified participation measures to describe participation challenges that exist. However, professionals may need to elicit additional information regarding the impact of repetitive and restrictive interests, interpersonal abilities and novel environments on participation to capture the core challenges of ASD.

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Acknowledgements

TY was supported by the Autism Research Training program, Canadian Child Health Clinician-Scientist Career Enhancement Program, Alberta Innovates Health Solutions Clinician Fellowship Award, Autism Society of Edmonton Area and Autism Research Centre Graduate Student Pilot Grant and Women and Children’s Health Research Institute Graduate Studentship. LARS was supported by the Alberta Innovates Health Solutions Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award. LZ was supported by the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation Chair in Autism.

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Correspondence to Tamara Yee.

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Yee, T., Magill-Evans, J., Zwaigenbaum, L. et al. Participation Measures for Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Scoping Review. Rev J Autism Dev Disord 4, 132–141 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-017-0102-8

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