Abstract
Objectives
The purpose of this paper is to describe a behavioral assessment process that involved the use of interviews, direct observation, and wearable physiological biosensor technology to measure stress-related behaviors and responses of five young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disabilities (ID) in a community-based transition program.
Methods
The research team conducted a pre-assessment/screening phase using direct observation and wearable biomarker technology (i.e., Spire Stone) to identify potential environmental conditions and/or activities associated with tension or stress during daily routines of students nominated for participation. Information from the screening phase was then used to conduct further targeted assessments for participants who demonstrated higher levels of anxiety/stress.
Results
Results of the pre-assessment/screening phase indicated that only two of five participants demonstrated anxiety-related behaviors and/or internal physiological stress responses as measured by wearable biomarker technology. The research team then conducted targeted observations of the two participants who demonstrated increased tension and/or stress responses under specific environmental conditions. The second phase of the assessment process identified bus riding during community-based instruction as anxiety producing for one participant and transfers to and from a positioning table for the other participant.
Conclusions
Wearable physiological biomarker technology can be a useful and complementary tool when conducting behavioral assessments, particularly for individuals with limited verbal repertoires. Information obtained from these devices can assist in identifying internal tension, and/or anxiety-related responses and identify environmental conditions that may elicit those responses. This information can then be used to inform and develop interventions.
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TV: Designed and executed the study, collected and analyzed data, and wrote paper. JJ: Assisted in design of study, collected and analyzed data, and wrote parts of paper. NA: Assisted in design of data collection systems, collected data, and wrote parts of paper. LF: Assisted in design of data collection system and collected data. MA: Assisted with functional analysis interviews, identification of participants, intervention development, and device management. MW: Assisted with functional analysis interviews, identification of participants, and intervention development. KM: Assisted with functional analysis interviews and identification of participants. VC: Assisted with data analysis. GW: Assisted with data collection. HK: Assisted with data collection.
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Van Laarhoven, T.R., Johnson, J.W., Andzik, N.R. et al. Using Wearable Biosensor Technology in Behavioral Assessment for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities Who Experience Anxiety. Adv Neurodev Disord 5, 156–169 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-020-00191-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-020-00191-6